Minister Parag commissions two new Nursery Schools in Region Six
MINISTER of Education, Sonia Parag, on Wednesday, commissioned two spanking new nursery schools in Region Six; those are the Mibicuri Nursery School and Chesney Nursery School, further strengthening early childhood education in the region. The newly opened facilities are expected to provide a safe, modern, and stimulating learning environment for young children, while improving access to quality education for families in the surrounding communities.
During the commissioning ceremony, Minister Parag underscored the government’s commitment to investing in early childhood development, noting that a strong educational foundation is critical to students’ long-term academic success.
She highlighted that the new schools are outfitted with age-appropriate classrooms and learning resources designed to support holistic development.
Speaking at the opening of the Chesney Nursery School, Parag stressed that “this is more than just a physical space, it is more than the building.”
She stated, that “the impact of this should not be lost on this community”, as according to her, this investment shows how the government values the education sector pointing out that the education budget is the second largest “and there is a reason for that, the reason is that if we don’t educate our people, this is not nursery students, its those children in primary, those children in secondary, those who would have gone on to become adults.”
Parag stressed that the education sector is about “national developnment, human capacity developnment” which means “that our most valuable assets, our people have to develop with our country, as a matter of fact our people shouldn’t be developing alongside, they should be developing before anything else and that is why education remains the core.”
She pointed out that over the last five years hundreds of schools have been built. She noted that schools are being built in communities to ensure easier access to education, “closer to your homes.”
“It is telling someone that we were able to give access where there was no access to education to all of our children who deserve it.”
In Mibicuri, the new school which cost some $62.5 M, can accommodate 100 learners and has four classrooms, a kitchen, an office space along with a sick bay.
Minister Parag, at the Mibicuri location, also noted that education is the foundation and core of national development in any country. “Education is one of the things that focus is placed on to ensure that our human capital develops,” the minister added as well.
Another 40 additional schools are set for completion under the 2026 budget and the Minister encouraged those gathered to upkeep the new buildings.
Meanwhile, Regional Chairman, Junior Basant, stated that the milestone is not just the establishment of a new school but rather “it is a powerful step forward in our collective commitment by the PPP/C government in bettering the future of our children and our community.”
He said, “for too long, many families in Chesney and nearby areas have faced challenges in accessing quality early childhood education. Overcrowding in existing schools made it difficult for every child to receive the attention and nurturing they deserve. Today, with the opening of this nursery school, we are addressing that need head-on.”
According to him, the institutions were built with a clear vision to increase access to quality nursery education for all children, to reduce overcrowding in our existing schools and to support the Ministry of Education’s commitment to early childhood development in Region Six.
He added, “But the impact of this school goes beyond education. It represents equity in the distribution of resources, ensuring that every child, regardless of where they live, has a safe, child-centred learning environment closer to home. This proximity is especially important for our working parents and guardians, who can now balance their responsibilities with greater ease, knowing their children are learning and growing in a secure space nearby.”
Basant related that the Chesney Nursery School is not only a place of learning, it is a driver of community development. By creating employment opportunities, it strengthens our local economy and empowers families. “Residents, this school is a beacon of hope. It symbolises our shared belief that every child deserves the best start in life. Together, we are building a foundation that will shape the leaders, innovators, and citizens of tomorrow”, he told those gathered.
