The first-ever primary school in the indigenous village of Meriwau, South Central Rupununi, was commissioned on Tuesday, marking a landmark step in expanding educational access to remote hinterland communities.
The $30 million facility, featuring modern classrooms and teacher accommodations, has enrolled 29 pupils, providing local children with an alternative to the long and often difficult journeys to schools in neighbouring villages.
The new school aims to reduce dropout rates and improve consistent attendance in the predominantly Wapichan community of about 300 residents.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand said the project is part of a wider government initiative to address educational disparities in remote and indigenous regions across Guyana. In Region Nine alone, authorities are building 22 nursery schools, seven primary schools, and nine secondary schools. A $350 million secondary school in nearby Shulinab is also planned, intended to serve students from Meriwau and surrounding villages.
The Meriwau school includes teacher quarters to support full-time educators, with ongoing professional development committed by the ministry. Construction of a kitchen to support the government’s school feeding programme is underway to ensure pupils receive nutritious meals.
For decades, children from Meriwau faced challenges attending school due to travel distances and lack of local facilities, often leading to early dropouts. The new school aims to address these barriers and foster improved educational outcomes in the community.
