The Government of Guyana continues to advance its commitment to inclusive and specialised education with the official opening of Region One’s first Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school in Mabaruma.
The opening marks a significant milestone in expanding access to specialised educational services, ensuring that learners with diverse needs across the region are provided with greater opportunities to learn, develop and reach their full potential.
The facility is named in honour of Gertrude Ghanie, a former teacher whose unwavering dedication to education went beyond the call of duty. The tribute recognises her invaluable contribution to the sector and the lasting impact she made on the lives of learners across the region.
The school was officially commissioned on Wednesday afternoon by Hon. Sonia Parag, Minister of Education, in the presence of Hon. Collin Croal, Minister of Housing; Regional Chairman, Mr Brentnol Ashley; Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration), Ms Tiffany Harvey; Assistant Chief Education Officer – Special Education Needs and Disability, Dr. Keon Cheong; Chief Schools’ Inspector, Ms Renita Barnes and other regional officials.
Constructed at a cost of $37 million, the facility is equipped to provide a supportive and inclusive learning environment for children with special educational needs and disabilities. It is staffed with a trained teacher in SEND-ADE and supported by teacher aides, ensuring that learners receive the individualized attention, care and educational support necessary to reach their full potential. The center has the capacity to accommodate 30 learners.
In her feature address, Minister Parag emphasised that the establishment of the school in Mabaruma reflects the government’s broader vision of bringing specialised educational services closer to communities, eliminating the need for families to travel long distances to access the support their children require.
She further underscored the government’s commitment to decentralising essential services and ensuring that educational opportunities are accessible to every child, regardless of geographical location or individual learning needs.
Meanwhile, Minister Croal highlighted the importance of investing in facilities that serve the needs of communities, noting that the establishment of the school represents a meaningful step towards ensuring that children with special educational needs are supported and provided with opportunities to thrive. The ceremony also saw the commissioning of a specially equipped bus to transport learners with special educational needs and disabilities, further improving access to education while easing the transportation burden on students and their families. DPI
