By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News
GUYANA, WEST COAST DEMERARA – The Government of Guyana has officially launched construction on the new Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary School, a state-of-the-art institution valued at $979 million. Minister of Education Priya Manickchand turned the sod on Wednesday, signaling the start of a transformative development for secondary education on the West Coast of Demerara.
The school, to be built at Crane, will feature a fully reinforced concrete structure with transparent roof sheeting and a circular architectural layout, offering both academic and technical education in a modern, student-centered environment.
Key Features of the Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary School:
- Capacity: Over 500 students
- Facilities:
- More than 20 classrooms
- A Science Centre with labs for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
- A TVET Centre with labs for Home Economics and Industrial Arts
- Sanitary blocks for students and staff
- Safety Systems:
- Escape doors and exits
- Fire alarms and extinguishers
- Fire-retardant wall panels
- Restricted use of timber and metal ceilings for fire prevention
- Recreational Amenities:
- Outdoor areas for basketball, cricket, and other sports
Project Timeline and Oversight
The construction is expected to take 9 months, with multiple components to be built concurrently. GR Engineering will act as the lead consultant, managing the technical specifications and providing supervisory oversight.
Minister Manickchand emphasized the importance of the project not just as an infrastructure initiative but as a holistic transformation of the learning environment.
“The new school must not be burdensome. It must be a place children are excited to come to,” she stated.
Progress at Tucville Secondary
The Minister also visited the ongoing $864 million Tucville Secondary School construction site. She reported that progress is moving swiftly, with the multipurpose hall already taking shape.
“It’s coming along beautifully,” she added, highlighting the government’s broader commitment to modernizing the education sector.
This new wave of educational infrastructure aims to enhance access, support diverse learning needs, and strengthen technical and vocational education as Guyana’s education system modernizes in step with national development goals.