CDB chief hails Guyana’s growth, promising future

President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Daniel Best, has hailed Guyana’s economic growth and promising trajectory as he concluded a successful three-day visit to the country.

Best emphasised that Guyana was his first official visit as CDB President due to its diverse project portfolio. He noted that, given the current geopolitical landscape, Guyana has proven to be a strong partner to the Caribbean. He reaffirmed that the relationship between Guyana and the CDB would continue to thrive during this period of boundless opportunities.

During his visit, Best met with President Dr Irfaan Ali and accompanied him, along with other government ministers, on a tour of various project sites in Region Two. The tour included the commissioning of two educational institutions—the Exceptional Learners’ Centre, a special education school in Cotton Field, and the new Onderneeming Primary School. These facilities were constructed as part of several collaborative developmental projects between the Guyanese government and the CDB.

Speaking at the opening of the Exceptional Learners’ Centre, President Ali reminded parents of the government’s commitment made in 2020. He acknowledged that the challenges they faced in raising children with special needs were often difficult for others to understand, but he had personally listened to their concerns and was dedicated to addressing them.

“You have shown that you can trust us—not only to listen to your challenges but to deliver results,” President Ali stated. He also congratulated the teachers and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring all educators receive professional training. He highlighted that teachers in Guyana now have the opportunity to become trained graduates free of cost, including access to Master’s degrees in special needs education through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarships.

OVERJOYED

CDB President Best, delivering remarks at the event, expressed his joy at celebrating the opening of the two schools. He described the new learning centre for special needs children as a significant milestone in President Ali’s vision for inclusive and equitable education. He underscored that education is a fundamental right, and the Guyanese government’s efforts reflect a strong commitment to ensuring all children, regardless of their abilities, have access to quality education.

During the opening of the new primary school at Onderneeming, Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh highlighted that President Ali’s “One Guyana” vision is more than just an abstract philosophy—it is a principle that guides the government’s actions.

“It is expressed through the beautiful diversity that forms the rich tapestry of modern Guyana, with our ancestors having come from many parts of the world. It includes our religious diversity—something we often take for granted, with multiple religions worshipping harmoniously together,” Dr Singh said.

He further emphasised that, in education, the government is focused on building infrastructure to ensure that every child, including those with disabilities, receives a quality primary and secondary education. This initiative is being implemented nationwide, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to inclusive development. (Rewritten from DPI)

Caption: Education Minister Priya Manickcand makes a point to CDB President Daniel Best at the commissioning of the Exceptional Learners’ Centre