Sod turned for Guyana’s first school for the deaf

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand (centre), turning the sod for the new school for the deaf
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand (centre), turning the sod for the new school for the deaf

Marking a historic step in Guyana’s educational landscape, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, accompanied by Assistant Chief Education Officer responsible for Special Education Needs and Develop-ment (SEND) Dr Keon Cheung; and Senior Education Officer-SEND, Nikoya Alleyne, turned the sod to mark the commencement of construction of the country’s first dedicated school for the deaf, a Ministry of Education release announced yesterday.

The release stated that the landmark project, valued at $194,472,570, will be executed by Superior Supplies and General Construction and is scheduled to be completed within nine months. Located in Cummings Lodge, the state-of-the-art facility will cater to 30 learners who are deaf, providing a nurturing environment that celebrates and supports deaf culture. The contract for the construction of the building was awarded after going through the procurement process by way of public tender. Besides being a school, the facility will serve as a resource hub for deaf youth, fostering community connections and enabling personal growth.

In her remarks, the Education Minister noted that the school is a testament to government’s dedication to inclusivity and equal opportunities for all learners. She commended the work the Deaf Association of Guyana has been doing over the years and informed that government is working towards establishing such inclusive spaces across the country.

Director of the Deaf Associa-tion of Guyana, Sabine McIntosh, was present at the ceremony as an invitee of Minister Manickchand in recognition of the significant contributions she has made in the sector for over a decade.

Meanwhile, Dr Cheung noted that the initiative underscores the Ministry’s holistic approach to education, recognising the importance of specialised support for learners with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).  He highlighted that as part of this effort, the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) has incorporated deaf education into its curriculum. Deaf youth enrolled in the SEND programme are now teacher candidates, with additional program-mes being offered by CPCE’s Disability Studies Department to train educators interested in teaching learners who are deaf, the release added.