President Ali Commissions Christ Church Secondary, Pledges Universal Secondary Education by 2026
By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Thursday reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to education while officially commissioning the brand-new Christ Church Secondary School. The $688 million facility serves as a symbol of the government’s commitment to universal secondary education and enhanced learning infrastructure nationwide.
“Our target is clear—universal secondary education by the end of next year. That is not a slogan. It is a solemn commitment,” the president declared.
He revealed that 20 new schools have been built, and nearly 100 have been rehabilitated to date under his administration. In parallel, a national drive for teacher training has resulted in a dramatic rise in trained educators, from 73% in 2020 to 98.5% in 2025 in Georgetown schools.
Key Announcements:
- CSEC & CAPE Students: Full government reimbursement for up to eight subjects written this year.
- Teacher Training: By the end of 2025, 100% of teachers will either be trained or actively enrolled in training programs.
- Global Perspective: President Ali highlighted that 16.1% of the world’s school-aged children—about 250 million—remain out of school, emphasizing the importance of Guyana’s investment in education.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand, in her remarks, praised the resilience of both students and teachers who maintained academic excellence despite the devastating fire that had previously destroyed the original Christ Church school building.
“This school may have burned down, but the determination of our teachers and students never flickered,” she said.
About the School:
The state-of-the-art facility features:
- 20 classrooms
- Capacity for 450–520 students
- Science, TVET, Electrical, Woodworking, and ICT labs
The school’s construction, following the fire, is part of a broader national strategy to modernize education delivery and ensure no child is left behind.
