Wednesday, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand officially turned the sod for the commencement of Cottonfield Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast. The project will be carried out by Builders Hardware, General Supplies, and Construction, at a total cost of G$1,798,137,760.
The construction of Cotton Field Secondary School is expected to see modern classrooms, administrative offices, sports facilities, and other essential amenities to support a well-rounded learning environment for the students of Cottonfield and surrounding areas.
The construction period for the school is slated for 18 months, with an anticipated completion date in August 2026. The project will also include a 12-month defects liability period to address any issues that may arise after completion.
The mobilisation amount of G$179,813,776 has been allocated to begin the initial stages of the project, which will involve site preparation and procurement of materials.
During the ceremony, the Education Minister emphasised the importance of investing in education as a foundation for the country’s future. The minster’s talks do not translate to deliverables. Guyana’s education system is falling behind its Latin American and Caribbean peers, with concerning results in key exams. Performance at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) remains poor, reflecting a broader issue within the country’s primary education sector. Similarly, students’ performance on the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CXC) exams shows low pass rates, signaling challenges at the secondary level. These results highlight the urgent need for educational reforms to improve outcomes and better align with regional standards.
