Education in ‘safe hands’ – Pres. Ali says as new Brickdam Secondary opens

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The newly rebuilt Brickdam Secondary School was officially opened on Monday afternoon, marking a major milestone in the school’s history.The modern facility, constructed at a cost of $560.7 million, will welcome over 485 students and 51 teachers when the new academic year begins in September.The school boasts 22 classrooms, three staff rooms, a counselling room, sick bay, three home economics rooms, two science laboratories, an IT lab, industrial technology room, auditorium, and a canteen.The newly rebuilt Brickdam Secondary School was officially opened on Monday (Photo: Ministry of Education)In 2016, the old Brickdam Secondary building was deemed unsuitable for learning and students were relocated to the East La Penitence Primary School building.“We couldn’t keep children in a place like that, so we moved to East La Penitence Primary, where my mother actually began her teaching career, and we stayed there until now,” Minister of Education Priya Manickchand explained.She described the new school as more than just a building that will “create Guyana’s next leaders” and where imagination and innovation will emerge.The newly rebuilt Brickdam Secondary School was officially opened on Monday (Photo: Office of the President/July, 21, 2025)Manickchand noted that while 25 of the 51 teachers are already trained, the remaining 26 are in training.“In about a year’s time, 100 per cent of your teachers are going to be trained teachers,” she told the students, parents and teachers gathered at the opening ceremony of the school on Monday.President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who delivered the featured remarks described it as an exciting day for the Brickdam Secondary community. He reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening education across the country.“We are investing heavily across the educational landscape. Education is in safe hands. It is in good hands. It is moving in the right direction,” the Head of State said.The newly rebuilt Brickdam Secondary School was officially opened on Monday (Photo: Office of the President/July, 21, 2025)President Ali highlighted that since 2020, Guyana has undertaken an unprecedented journey in education infrastructure, with approximately 40 schools built or rebuilt.“This type of expansion has never before been attempted or achieved in Guyana’s history,” he declared.And soon, contracts will be signed for science labs in hinterland schools, part of a wider effort to close the education gap between coastal and interior regions, President Ali announced.“For decades these gaps have hindered our national progress, but not anymore,” President Ali said.The newly rebuilt Brickdam Secondary School was officially opened on Monday (Photo: Office of the President/July, 21, 2025)However, the Head of State emphasised that the education agenda goes beyond infrastructure.“We are not just spending; we are investing smartly. We are building futures, the future of our children and educators,” he said.The ultimate goal, according to President Ali, remains the creation of a world-class education system, one that is accessible, inclusive, equitable, and capable of driving national development.The post Education in ‘safe hands’ – Pres. Ali says as new Brickdam Secondary opens appeared first on News Room Guyana.