Education Ministry, GDF join forces to roll out weekly school sports programme

The Education Ministry has begun work to implement President Dr Irfaan Ali’s directive for all public schools to dedicate Friday afternoons to physical education, sports and recreation.

On Tuesday, Education Minister Sonia Parag led a team from the Ministry in discussions with senior officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to outline the framework for rolling out the initiative nationwide.
The Ministry’s delegation included Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain; Adviser to the Minister of Education (Tertiary Education Reform) Dr Kofi Dalrymple; Parliamentary Secretary and Chief Planning Officer Mischka White-Griffith; Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration) Tiffany Harvey; and Head of the Unit of Allied Arts Nicholas Fraser.
They met with Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan, Colonel General Staff Kenlloyd Roberts, Staff Officer Training and Operations Lieutenant Colonel Julian Archer, and Captain Kevveon Lewis, Personal Assistant to the Chief of Defence Staff.
The collaboration aims to ensure the weekly sports sessions are structured, well-supported and accessible to students across all regions. President Ali has underscored that dedicating time to physical activity is intended not only to encourage healthier lifestyles but also to promote leadership, teamwork, discipline and resilience among students.
Parag said the Ministry is committed to putting the president’s vision into effect. She noted that the partnership with the GDF will provide organisational support and expertise for the programme’s implementation. According to the Ministry, investments are already being made in recreational facilities, tarmacs and training for physical education teachers to support the rollout.
The initiative is designed to reduce sedentary habits among students, address rising screen dependency, and support their academic, physical and social development. Officials indicated that the programme forms part of a wider effort to create an education system that produces well-rounded citizens capable of contributing to Guyana’s development.