Learners attending the Abram Zuil Secondary School (AZSS) in Region Two will be able to enjoy the benefits of more spacious classrooms with the commissioning of a $585 million state-of-the-art facility constructed by Builders Hardware and General Supplies.
Commissioning the project yesterday afternoon was President Irfaan Ali, accompanied by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, along with regional officials.
Addressing the huge gathering, President Ali posited that development is a partnership and the commissioning is testimony to partnership. The government, he disclosed, is examining ways to improve and upgrade educational facilities across Guyana at a cost of some $11 billion.
Ali announced that another educational facility in the region to be rehabilitated will be the Anna Regina Secondary School. He assured that government will continue to make investments in education geared at creating economic activities. He noted too that the government has made investments so that teachers can be trained within the region to become trained graduates.
“The teachers will be trained graduates right in the region and it means our children will have more knowledgeable teachers [and] with that we are bound to get better results, with more human resources available,” the President said.
He said that education is being used as an equalising force towards societal advancement.
“Education is an equalising force and it is where government will make the investment so that opportunities can be created, and the government will continue to invest.”
Manickchand, in her remarks said that Abram Zuil Secondary in the past was in a bad physical state and noted that it was when the current government took office that the construction of the school commenced.
“This is the school that has the highest matriculation rate. This is our commitment. Whichever school you choose to attend you will get the same services available,” Manickchand said.
She noted that although students were getting passes to attend schools in Georgetown, some chose to remain in the region which is testimony to the investment the government is making in education across the country.
She reminded parents in the region that over $500 million was disbursed through the “Because we care” cash grant.
Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, who also spoke at the ceremony, said that the new school is a boost for the region. She highlighted it as another commitment made by the government to provide better and spacious learn-ing opportunities for students.
Meanwhile, acting head teacher of the AZSS, Jerome Rajpersaud, said that school continued to thrive since its establishment on October 21, 1980. He gave a brief history of the school and pointed out that its population started to grow from 1980 to 1985 and that major rehabilitation works were done in 2022. He reminded the audience that the school topped the Caribbean for the CSEC examinations in 2011 and had recorded the highest matriculation rate.
The school now boasts modern smart classrooms, an IT lab, an elevator, a medical room, enclosed classrooms, and a staff room.
Regional Education Officer Shondel Hercules said it was a momentous occasion for the region and that the brand new school will provide a comfortable space for learners. She said that the school will cater for students from Bethany to Colombia in Region Two.
