– President Ali announces special buses to address transportation woes
Approximately 30 learners with special needs will benefit from the new Exceptional Learners’ Centre at Cotton Field in Region Two.
The facility which is the first of its kind in the region was commissioned by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Wednesday.
It is equipped with the necessary amenities to accommodate learners on the spectrum, as well as those with disabilities and special sensitivities.
During his keynote address, President Ali has announced that differently abled children in the ten administrative regions will soon have access to special buses to transport them to their respective special education needs facilities.
This intervention addresses the transportation challenges frequently voiced by the parents of these children during the government’s community engagements.
“We have put aside resources in the budget and before the end of this month, the Minister of Finance will ensure that Region Two gets its bus here to transport these children,” the president said.
The facility marks a significant milestone in the government’s bid to secure inclusive and equitable access to quality education.
The project is being funded through the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), which is a grant-funded programme by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
President Ali explained that the government aims to maximise the impact of this facility and as such, health services will be integrated with its educational operations.
“We are going to bring the clinic to the facility here every month so we reduce the strain on the parents and children. That is an important part of our service delivery motto,” he explained.
The Guyanese leader reminded that children with special needs face significant barriers that have denied them the quality education they deserve.
He reiterated that his administration is committed to dismantling these barriers, providing them with the opportunities to realise their full potential.
“That is why we are investing significantly in the education sector,” he pointed out.
President Ali pointed to the recently established special needs swimming programme at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) to boost therapy and rehabilitation, adding that the government is looking to expand that initaitive.
Guyana has already made significant strides in making education accessible to every child regardless of their abilities. Since 2022, the number of special education needs facility in the country has increased from 13 to 27.
The president said when compared to the period 2015 to 2020, the government has invested 600 per cent more in education than the previous government.
President of the Caribbean Development Bank Daniel Best said projects like these are at the heart of development and underscored the CDB’s mandate of transforming lives through inclusive, resilient and sustainable development.
“These types of interventions and others in communities like Cotton Field help to ensure that the country is moving forward together,” he said.
Previously the nearest specialised facility was the Special Education Needs Diagnostic Centre in the East Coast Demerara. The construction of the new facility was identified as a priority area so that early childhood education can be effectively delivered.
“This school is more than a building. It is a sanctuary of hope, acceptance and opportunity. It represents our collective dedication to nurturing the potential of every child and empowering them to achieve their potential,” the CDB president emphasised.
Last March, a $94 million contract was signed with Builder’s Engineering & Architectural Constancy for the school’s construction.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh and Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, were among the officials present at the ceremony. (Department of Public Information)
