Secondary education now within reach for hundreds in Yupukari

A newly constructed secondary school has been officially commissioned in the village of Yupukari, marking a major step forward in the government’s efforts to expand access to quality education in Guyana’s hinterland.

The Yupukari Secondary School commissioned by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday will serve approximately 200 students from Yupukari and neighbouring communities, including Fly Hill, Quatata, and Kaicumbay.

It is expected to significantly reduce the need for students to travel long distances or stay in dormitories at St. Ignatius Secondary School to pursue their education.

The commissioning of the Yupukari Secondary School followed the earlier opening of the Katoka Secondary School on the same day, highlighting the administration’s continued push to improve educational infrastructure across Region Nine.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Education Minister Priya Manickchand underscored the transformative impact of the government’s education agenda. She emphasised that investments in infrastructure, trained teachers, learning materials, and daily meals are all part of a holistic strategy to ensure every child has access to high-quality education, regardless of where they live.

“Now, each and every single child has a package in their book bags to carry home—all the textbooks they need for all subjects, from Nursery straight up to Secondary,” Minister Manickchand said. “All your children are getting breakfast and lunch, and it’s your village—the women in your village—that we’re paying to do that.”

She continued, “Then, you have schools going up. Not a primary top—a discreet secondary school with trained teachers to deliver the full programme. We’re building schools in Karasabai, Tabatinga, Maruranau, Nappi, Massara—seven secondary schools in one Irfaan Ali term. Since the first settlers arrived, this region only had four schools—three of them secondary: St. Ignatius, Sand Creek, Aishalton, and Annai. Now, in just five years, we’re adding seven more. That means 2,500 new secondary seats, giving students the chance to go from Grade Nine to CXC, then on to university. We are creating opportunities never before imagined.”

The construction of the Yupukari Secondary School was awarded to contractor Clyve King through a competitive bidding process, conducted in accordance with the Public Procurement Act and overseen by the National Tender Board Administration to ensure transparency and fairness.

This development is part of the Ministry of Education’s broader strategy to eliminate educational inequities between the coastland and hinterland regions. Through investments in infrastructure, human resources, and support systems, the government is working to ensure that every child, regardless of geographic location, has equal access to educational opportunities.

Parents, educators, and community members have praised the new school as a transformative development. It is expected to improve academic performance and reduce dropout rates, while providing a nurturing and well-resourced environment for students to excel.

The commissioning of the Yupukari Secondary School reaffirms the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind—a reflection of the government’s continued investment in the future of Guyana, one school, one community, and one child at a time. (Ministry of Education)

The school was officially commissioned by President Dr Irfaan Ali