Friday afternoons for sports in schools – Presi Ali declares

…as Govt moves to boost student health, wellness

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday emphasised the importance of physical education in schools and has called for a reduction in children’s screen time to promote a healthier lifestyle. According to the Guyanese Leader this effort will start in schools, with a new initiative that will see Friday afternoons being declared free for physical education, recreation and sports in all schools across the country.
In his address at the commissioning ceremony for the new Brickdam Secondary School, the Guyanese leader explained that gone are the days of only solving math problems or science quizzes after lunch on Fridays, there will just be footballs, jump ropes, running shoes, and the roar of youthful energy.
“We’re building complete human being, understanding what real human capital really is, and understanding that in our national ecosystem, sports, physical education, plays a very important role. And I’ve seen the beautiful schools across our country. And in the next five years, great emphasis will be placed on recreational facilities to support our academic education,”
He added, “I want to see in the education system Friday afternoons, after lunch, completely dedicated to sports and physical education. I believe strongly that if we are to make a shift from a device-led world to a human-led world, we need to make these important changes. And I would say that one of the priorities would be reorganising our education system to make Friday afternoons completely dedicated to physical education, recreation, and sports,” he said.
According to President Ali, this move is part of a larger national push to tackle screen addiction among children, reduce sedentary lifestyles, and instill lifelong habits of health, teamwork, and discipline.
“We are not just building schools. We are creating opportunities, entrenching equity, and fostering greater quality. No longer will students have to travel miles or be confined by geography to access quality education. This Government is turning access into action. Because education is not a privilege, it is a right. We have always embraced that principle,” he said.
The 2025 national budget for sports in Guyana is a record $8 billion. This significant investment is part of a larger G$1.382 trillion budget and is the largest ever allocation for sports in Guyana’s history. The budget is intended to support the continued advancement and modernisation of sports infrastructure and opportunities in Guyana.