…800 students to be accommodated, science labs, TVET centre, recreational spaces
President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday officially commissioned the state-of-the-art $930 million Tuschen Secondary School, a major educational investment located on the East Bank of Essequibo in Region Three.
The facility, designed to accommodate more than 800 students, marks a significant milestone in the government’s commitment to building a knowledge-based economy. Enrolment has already begun, with 140 students registered for Grade 8 and 91 expected to enter Grade 7 when the new school year starts in September. With 23 teachers already on staff, the school will offer 25 subjects.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Ali described the school as “a new beginning for many families and many children,” noting that it stands as a symbol of the government’s broader vision for national development through education.
“Today we are delivering to the people of Region Three a school that can match any other in the Caribbean and Latin America,” he said. “We are building an enormous future for Region Three. We want every single child to have a viable pathway to a successful future.”
Emphasising the central role of education in Guyana’s long-term development, President Ali declared, “One day our natural resources will be depleted, but the minds of our children will never run dry. A knowledgeable economy is the economy of the future. This is not a dream deferred; this is a promise delivered.”
The modern, one-flat structure features 24 classrooms, physics, chemistry and biology laboratories, a TVET centre with industrial and home economics laboratories, a canteen, a multi-purpose hall and cafeteria, a sanitary block, fire prevention systems, and an outdoor recreational area.
The school also includes a number of important facilities that will enhance student life, including a multi-purpose court, shade house, and space for an agricultural plot.
The fully reinforced concrete structure, topped with a dome roof, is equipped with comprehensive fire prevention systems, including fire alarms, extinguishers, escape doors, and fire exits. The facility was designed with student wellbeing in mind, aiming to provide a safe, welcoming, and motivating environment for learning.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand, who also attended the event, praised the team behind the school’s development.
“We have a beautiful new secondary school, and I want to congratulate the designer and the consultant and commend the contractors. It’s not just a secondary school; it’s a beautiful edifice where children will want to learn. This will be their oasis. Their place of safety,” she said.
The school was designed by GR Engineering Company, which also supervised construction. The building process was divided into several lots and carried out by various contractors as follows:Lot 1 (Foundations): S&K Construction; Lot 2 (Superstructure Works): Singh and Son Construction; Lot 3 (Plumbing and Landscaping): Harry Chowtie Enterprise; Lot 4 (Electrical Works); Lot 5 (Finishes): K&S General Contractors; and Lot 6 (External Works): Harry Chowtie Enterprise.
