After being gutted by fire: $346.2M state-of-the-art North West Secondary School commissioned

…school customised to deliver special needs education

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday inaugurated the newly re-constructed $346.2 million North West Secondary School in Region One (Barima-Waini), marking a significant milestone in the region’s education sector. The modern facility, which replaces the original school destroyed by a devastating arson attack in 2021, now boasts 20 spacious classrooms, three fully-equipped science laboratories, and two modified lift classrooms for special needs education. This state-of-the-art institution is expected to serve 525 students from surrounding communities, providing them with enhanced educational opportunities to drive local and national development.
The new school is also outfitted with two modified lift classrooms to deliver special needs education to vulnerable students.

The school was constructed by Aruca Investment.
Catchment areas benefitting from the secondary school include Hotoquai, Yarakita, Matthews Ridge Sebai, Red Hill, Powaikuro, Wauna, Wanaina, Kamwatta White Water, Hobodeia, St. Jonn’s, Kachikamo, St Cyprians – Barasina, Black Water Savannah, St.Margaret’s, Thomas Hill, Mabaruma Settiement, Mabaruma Township, Mabaruma Compound, Kunaka, Barabina, Hosororo, Wayne, White Water, Yarakita, Powaikuru, Arkansas, Hobodeia, Hotoqua, Red Hill and St Ansiems.
In his address, President Ali revealed that the school will be a transformational force, both at the individual and community levels by upskilling 525 students with the scientifical expertise needed to expand Guyana’s economy.
“We are not stopping at this we want to ensure that every teacher in the hinterland must have the ability to become a trained teacher from right where you teach. And every teacher in the hinterland who is a trained teacher must have the opportunity to become a trained graduate from right where you teach. So, it’s not only the investment in increases in ROI and increases in salaries and benefits, it’s investment in your personal welfare, it’s investment in making you more competent, it’s investment in making you more valuable, it’s investment in making you more competitive, it’s investment with a human face and these are investments that are important for us,” the Head of State disclosed.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Priya Manickchand announce the expansion of the school in 2025.
Infrastructure works will include the construction of a multipurpose court for sporting activities, dorms and a kitchen.
“We were going to put a shed aside in the school that would be a more purposeful one for assemblies and graduations and so on. But now that I see this one, I’m kind of liking this a lot. And I’m thinking that at the side of the school, we’ll put a multipurpose court where your children can play various types of sports and we’ll get the region to build a shed right here that allows for assemblies and graduations and so on. So, this is not the end of us. This is a good indication that we love you, but it’s not the end of us. I promise you that whatever we say we will say to you, you will get that and more through the Ministry of Education, through the Ministry of Housing and Water, through the Ministry of Local Government, through the Ministry of Amerindian and Affairs, all of us coming at you all the time,” the Minister said.
On September 24, 2021, the North West Secondary School was destroyed by fire which the Guyana Fire Service had ruled as an act of arson. (G1)