Tapakuma gets $25.3M nursery school

Education delivery in Region Two received a significant boost on Tuesday with the commissioning of the Tapakuma Lake Nursery School — a modern facility that will now serve 17 children from the remote community. The school was built at a cost of $25.3M.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand, delivering the feature address, said Guyana is on the verge of achieving universal nursery education, having already accomplished universal primary education in the 2000s.

She noted that in just three and a half years — despite the COVID-19 pandemic — the government has built 67 nursery schools nationwide, compared to the 400 that previously existed.

The minister officially unveiled the plaque and assisted the children in cutting the ribbon to declare the school open. She assured parents that, alongside new infrastructure, the ministry is providing essential teaching resources to ease the burden on families.

Highlighting government investments in education, Minister Manickchand said the administration has trained 9,000 teachers in the past three years, raising the percentage of trained teachers in the hinterland from 49 per cent to 86 per cent. She also pointed to the ongoing construction of 42 new secondary schools, 24 of them in hinterland regions, to ensure equal access to quality education.

She reminded the audience that the “Because We Care” Cash Grant, free textbooks, uniforms, and hot meals are among the initiatives aimed at removing hidden costs for parents.

Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva said that since 2020, 13 new schools have been built in Region Two, including four nurseries.

Toshoa of Tapakuma described the new school as a proud chapter in the community’s history while acting Headteacher Kaameshwarie Barker said it will open new opportunities for young learners.