Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, on Wednesday officially turned the sod for the $1.7 billion reconstruction of the Cottonfield Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast. The demolition of the old school is expected to commence soon.
In the meantime, the 636 students currently enrolled at Cottonfield Secondary will be relocated for about 18 months while the school is being rebuilt. During this period, some students will attend classes at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) building, the Anna Regina Secondary, and an old Special Needs School on the Essequibo Coast.
The contract for the project has been awarded to Builders Hardware.
Minister Manickchand stressed the importance of maintaining high standards during the construction and further urged residents to actively monitor the progress.
“This is your school. This is not a ministry project; this is a Cottonfield, Essequibo Coast project,” Manickchand said.
She added: “$1.7 billion is what we are investing in your children.”
The new school will feature modern laboratories and learning spaces designed to enhance the educational experience. Once completed, it will also introduce CVQ (Caribbean Vocational Qualification) programmes to provide students with additional skills and career opportunities.
Speaking directly to the students, Minister Manickchand encouraged them to embrace the changes and make the mdost of their education, saying, “Give your best and do your best.”
