The $231 million secondary school being constructed in Jawalla, Region Seven is aimed at boosting education in the community and will cater to 250 students. Sheriff Construction Inc. has been awarded the contract after a competitive bidding process. The construction is expected to take eight months, the Ministry of Education revealed in a press release.
A sod-turning ceremony, led by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, marked the official start of the project. Minister Manickchand emphasized the government’s commitment to improving education in remote areas and highlighted efforts to train more teachers, especially from hinterland regions.
“As you can see, we’re training teachers right from the village… this is the first time in the history of Guyana, we have as many teachers training. We use to be able to train about 535 teachers per year. We’re now training just under 2000 teachers per year. Many of them are coming from hinterland regions where they are returning to serve,” Manickchand stated.
The new Jawalla Secondary School will be equipped with facilities including Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Information Technology laboratories, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) laboratories, a Home Economics room, library space, teachers’ quarters, spacious classrooms and a small dormitory.
This new school will also help alleviate overcrowding at the DC Caesar Fox Secondary School in Waramadong. It will serve students from nearby communities like Quebanang, Kako, Imbaimadai, Kambaru, Ominike, Abbou, and Eladupai, who currently lack proper secondary education facilities.
Sheriff Construction Inc. is committed to completing the project on time and to high standards, working closely with the local community. This new school is expected to greatly benefit Jawalla, offering modern facilities and a better learning environment.
Additionally, another new secondary school will be built in the nearby community of Phillipai.
