School for the deaf to be commissioned as Guyana moves towards major milestone in SEN education -Minister Parag
Guyana is set to commission a dedicated school for learners who are deaf within days, marking the country’s 50th recognised Special Education Needs (SEN) space, as the Ministry of Education continues to expand access to inclusive education nationwide.
The announcement was made by Education Minister Sonia Parag on Thursday during the commissioning of the Yas School of Inspiration at Crane, West Coast Demerara.
“Within the coming days, we will commission another specialized learning environment dedicated to supporting learners who are deaf, marking Guyana’s 50th SEN space,” Parag said, describing the milestone as evidence that “progress is ongoing.”
She noted that the Yas School of Inspiration itself represents Guyana’s 49th SEN space and forms part of a broader national effort to ensure universal access to special education. “The mission of SEN education is not about labeling or separating children, but it is about recognizing difference and responding with care, planning and support,” the minister told the gathering.
Parag outlined the rapid expansion of SEN facilities over the past five years, explaining that when President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali assumed office in 2020, Guyana had just 13 recognised SEN spaces. “Today, in 2026 there are 48 SEN spaces accommodating approximately 1,300 learners,” she said. “That represents an increase of 35 SEN spaces in less than five years, including during the COVID-19 period.”
According to the minister, those figures reflect more than infrastructure. “Behind those numbers are real classrooms, trained educators and families who now have places where their children can learn and be supported, where in many cases, there were once very limited options,” she said.
She stressed that the ministry’s objective is to ensure all SEN learners can access education in every administrative region, regardless of location or disability. “Where a child lives should never determine whether they receive the support they need to learn,” Parag said, adding that all categories of special education needs and disabilities must be catered for across the country.
As part of building capacity within the system, she pointed to new training opportunities for educators. The Cyril Potter College of Education now offers a specialization in SEN, while the University of Guyana introduced a degree programme in SEN in 2025. In addition, more than 300 persons have graduated in SEN through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning programme in collaboration with the University of the Southern Caribbean.
“This investment in training strengthens the quality of support available in our schools and helps ensure sustainability,” the minister said.
Parag also highlighted ongoing work in early identification and diagnosis, noting that early intervention significantly improves learning outcomes. She said the ministry continues to work with national stakeholders, including organisations representing persons with disabilities, to improve early screening in schools and strengthen collaboration with families.
Community outreach, she added, remains critical. “Through autism acceptance initiatives, SEN fairs and parent and community sensitization programmes, we are addressing stigma and building understanding, after all, inclusive education begins with awareness and acceptance,” Parag said.
She also referenced the expansion of the remedial education programme for persons with disabilities, which supports individuals who were unable to complete their schooling earlier in life. The first cohort, she noted, successfully sat the CSEC examinations with full government funding, opening pathways to further education and employment.
Touching on changes in how education is delivered, Parag said Guyana has moved beyond a “one size fits all, talk and chalk approach.” She pointed to the recent launch of the Guyana Digital School, which provides flexible, synchronous learning opportunities for students in Guyana and across the Caribbean.
“This reform reflects a broader shift in mindset and methodology, one that values adaptability, access and inclusion,” she said.
As the Yas School of Inspiration begins operations, Parag said its true impact will be measured over time. “Long after today, the true impact of this school will be seen in the lives it shapes, in the confidence it builds, and in the adults these learners will grow to become,” she said.
Drawing on the school’s name, the minister added, “Much like the jasmine from which this school takes its name, what begins here may grow quietly, but it will blossom with time.”
