MINISTER of Education, Sonia Parag, met on Tuesday with Mr. Ganesh Singh, head of the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), to discuss the continuation and potential expansion of the Remedial Education Programme for persons with special needs.
The programme, designed to provide education opportunities for individuals who were previously unable to complete formal schooling, has already made notable strides. The first cohort of participants successfully sat for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, with full funding provided by the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Education.
Minister Parag described the initiative as a critical component of the government’s broader push for inclusivity, stating, “As you know, the Government is committed to ensuring that all regions are equipped with Special Education Needs (SEN) centres.” She also noted that significant improvements in SEN infrastructure and services are expected over the next five years.
Mr. Singh commended the success of the programme so far, highlighting its transformative impact on past participants. The discussions focused on expanding the programme to reach more individuals with physical, hearing, vision, and mild intellectual disabilities, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to pursue higher education, meaningful employment, and other opportunities provided by the government.
Also attending the meeting were Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain, Assistant Chief Education Officer for Special Education Needs and Disabilities Dr. Keon Cheong, and Programme Officer of the GCOPD Ms. Shannon Forsythe.
The initiative reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive education system in Guyana, ensuring that persons with disabilities have equal access to learning and development opportunities.