Education system uplifted as Christ Church Secondary reopens after fire

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Thursday recommitted to modernising Guyana’s entire education system to match the pace of national development, as he delivered the feature address at the official reopening of the newly rebuilt Christ Church Secondary School.

“As our country continues to advance, so too must our education system,” Dr. Ali said to students, teachers, and guests gathered at the school’s Camp and Middle Street location in Georgetown.

He explained that a future that is stronger, safer, more integrated, and one that adopts the best technologies, begins with schools like Christ Church. In outlining the government’s broader plans, the President said science labs and technical and vocational training centres will be constructed at all schools, reaffirming the goal of achieving universal secondary education by the end of next year.

“It is not a slogan, it is a solid commitment,” Dr. Ali declared, adding that by the end of 2025, 100 per cent of teachers will be trained or in training.
“We are incentivising the system, offering additional allowances to trained teachers, because when teachers invest in themselves, that investment flows into the classroom and benefits every single child,” he said.

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand also reaffirmed the government’s promise of quality education for all.
“Wherever our children go, they will receive a solid secondary education,” she said.

Minister Manickchand noted that in Georgetown alone, the percentage of trained or training teachers is expected to increase from 73 per cent to 98.5 per cent in 2025. She highlighted that $1.4 billion has been invested in textbooks, with over 581,000 books distributed to schools countrywide. She was optimistic that these investments would soon be reflected in improved CSEC and CAPE results.

The newly rebuilt Christ Church Secondary School officially reopened its doors two and a half years after it was completely destroyed by fire, which was later determined to be arson by person or persons unknown.

The commissioning ceremony marked a new chapter for students, teachers, and the wider community.

“This is not just the reopening of a school building. Tragedy tested our strength and endurance, but it did not break our spirit. Instead, it fuelled our determination to maintain excellence. Today, we see possibilities, we see pride, and we see a future that will be uniquely created for every child of Christ Church Secondary,” the school’s headteacher, Monet Smith, said during welcoming remarks.

Recounting the night of the fire, President Ali reminded the gathering that within hours, decades of memories, dreams, and traditions were disrupted.

“But today, with hearts full of pride and eyes lifted toward promise, we declare without hesitation and without apology — Christ Church is back in business, the business of education, enlightenment, and empowerment,” he said, drawing cheers and applause.

The new school features 20 classrooms, each designed to accommodate 30 to 40 students comfortably. It also boasts eight specialised labs, a 390-seat auditorium with changing rooms for both boys and girls, a library, a canteen, and a sick bay.