– defends NGSA results, highlights PPP/C’s investment in education

PRESS Secretary and Director of Press and Publicity at the Office of the President, Suelle Findlay-Williams, has strongly defended the performance of students at the 2025 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), rejecting criticism that children’s results are in decline.
Her remarks came amid growing commentary questioning pupil performance and the relevance of the NGSA, which serves as Guyana’s secondary school placement examination.
In a public statement, Findlay-Williams described the criticism as “deliberate attempts to mislead, distract, and divide”, asserting that the 2025 results reflect real, measurable academic progress.

“The 2025 NGSA results have shown real, measurable progress in every subject area. This is not by chance. It is because of deliberate, focused investments made by the PPP/C administration under the visionary leadership of President Dr. Irfaan Ali,” she stated.

According to data released by the Ministry of Education, Mathematics pass rates now stand at 55.51 percent, English at 69.25 percent, Social Studies at 64.77 percent, and Science at 63.7 percent—marking significant improvements across the board.

“These results are not just numbers,” Findlay-Williams added, “they represent the dreams of thousands of children coming to life.”
She attributed the success to a suite of targeted interventions implemented by the Government, including: Mass distribution of textbooks and printed learning materials.; introduction of concise subject notes into single, accessible documents; expansion of the Guyana Learning Channel and launch of an education-focused radio station; nationwide rollout of a breakfast programme; introduction of a National Grade Five Assessment; implementation of an online quiz platform to improve exam preparedness; and a major investment in teacher training, with approximately 9,000 teachers currently undergoing or completing training across the country.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, who announced the results on June 25 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, noted that this year marks Guyana’s best NGSA performance to date. She attributed this historic achievement to the Government’s comprehensive education reforms and continued investment in quality learning environments.
Findlay-Williams further rejected the notion that criticism without solutions is constructive, saying:

“Their noise is not a plan. Their lies are not leadership. Cheap stunts are not a substitute for real solutions.”
She ended her statement with a message of optimism, pointing to the Government’s commitment to building a nation where every child has the tools to succeed, every family has hope, and every community benefits from national progress.

“Under the PPP/C and President Ali, we are building a nation that’s moving forward—together and stronger than ever before,” she said.
This year, over 18,000 students did the NGSA across Guyana, and the Government has vowed to continue investing in the future of education, especially in underserved and hinterland communities.