‘Projects Map’ launched to enhance transparency in construction of schools

The Ministry of Education on Tuesday officially launched “Projects Map,” a technology-driven initiative aimed at increasing transparency and public engagement regarding school construction projects across Guyana.

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand during her remarks highlighted the extensive efforts in building and upgrading educational facilities such as schools and dormitories.

“Because we have been building an enormous of schools, primary, nursery, secondary, dorms, building rebuilding of extending significantly, all across Guyana and intermittently, you, your colleagues and the press, members of the public, parents, call us to find out whether something is being built, when it is supposed to be finished, who is the contractor and things that you should know, things that have been made public but not made public in one space,” Manickchand explained.

Projects Map provides key project details, including the contractor’s name, the contract award date, the project cost, when the tender was advertised and the closing date for the tender, the construction start date, and the expected completion date.

Manickchand emphasised that while there is no obligation to provide this information, the ministry is happy to do so as it benefits both the government and the public.

“While we don’t have necessarily a duty to do it, we are very happy to be able to do this because it also helps us.”

“Let me be clear, every single school in this country has had significant repairs, rehabilitation and other works done,” Manickchand said.

Head of Information Systems, Phil Mingo, demonstrated how the website functions at the launch on Tuesday and said, “It is by regions and then schools and then of course construction and reconstruction and the rightmost column you can see the total.”

The website is expected to be fully up and running by Wednesday with information on all schools and dorms being built or rehabilitated across the country.