Education Minister Priya Manickchand Breaks Ground for New Secondary School in Essequibo Coast

On Wednesday, Education Minister Priya Manickchand marked the beginning of construction for a new secondary school at Cotton Field on the Essequibo Coast, located in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). This event, featuring a ceremonial sod-turning, signifies the transformation of the existing Cotton Field Secondary School into a modern educational facility.

This initiative represents the second advanced school in the region to be demolished for reconstruction aimed at meeting contemporary educational standards. The new Cotton Field Secondary School is set to be built at a cost of $1.7 billion, with Builders Hardware, General Supplies and Construction awarded the contract. The project is projected to be completed within 18 months.

During the ceremony, Minister Manickchand shared insights into the decision-making process behind the school’s location. Extensive consultations with parents and teachers led to a consensus that the new facility should be built on the existing school’s grounds. “We have decided that the school will stay right where it is,” she stated. However, this decision comes with the challenge of relocating over 600 students during the construction phase. “All 636 children will need to be removed for 18 months while the school is being built,” she added.

To minimize disruption, arrangements will be made for students to attend nearby schools and colleges until the new facility is ready. Manickchand emphasized the importance of adhering to the agreed timeline, expressing confidence in the contractor’s ability to meet their commitments.

The Cotton Field Secondary School project follows the reconstruction of Abram Zuil Secondary, as part of the Government’s strategic plan to modernize educational institutions in Region Two. Minister Manickchand highlighted the significant investments made in education on the Essequibo Coast over the past four years, stating, “This is the second school that is going to be rebuilt completely; Abram Zuil being the first.”

She further noted that all secondary schools in the region have undergone significant rehabilitation, along with improvements to primary and nursery schools. The Government has also connected schools to the internet, enhancing research opportunities for students and providing essential resources such as transportation and meals.

Regional Education Officer (REO) Shondelle Hercules welcomed the project, noting its potential to improve the learning environment significantly. Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, a former student of Cotton Field, called the initiative historic and urged the contractor to ensure timely completion.

Over the past four years, the Government has invested $31 billion in infrastructural developments, adding 37 new secondary schools to the existing 116, with goals to achieve universal secondary education by the end of 2025.