Aiming to reshape how children learn and grow, the Ministry of Education is placing a stronger emphasis on play and physical education across the school system.
The announcement came as Guyana joined the rest of the world in marking the International Day of Play on Wednesday with a special exhibition hosted by the University of Guyana.
Speaking at the event, held at the Sitar and Aminata IV Multipurpose Auditorium in Georgetown, Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussein said the Ministry is serious about giving play and physical activity the attention it deserves.
He confirmed that starting from the new school year, trained Physical Education (PE) teachers will no longer be assigned to teach unrelated academic subjects.
“Gone are the days when a PE teacher is made to teach office administration or accounts,” Hussein stated. “We graduate nearly 100 PE teachers every year, and we are going to ensure they are placed where they belong teaching PE in schools across the country.”
He further highlighted that the Ministry has been hiring coaches to train students in specific sports, including tennis, as part of a broader effort to strengthen physical development in schools.
The goal, he said, is to give students more than just classroom knowledge. “Learning must involve movement, teamwork, and creative expression,” the CEO added.
Hussein also called for reforms at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), noting that more play-based strategies should be integrated into the college’s teaching methods.
“Games and play must not be treated as side activities,” he said. “They need to be embedded in how we train teachers. This shift is necessary.”
Meanwhile, UG’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohammed-Martin, echoed that message, sharing her own experiences with the importance of play.
“My mother was a nursery school teacher and a strong believer in creativity and fun,” she recalled. “Every year, my entire family helped with school floats and events for Mashramani. Those moments stayed with me they helped shape my values.”
