On Monday, April 20, 2026, Guyana’s Ministry of Education announced that a high-level delegation from St. Lucia’s Ministry of Education, Youth Development, Sports and Digital Transformation is in the country for an official study visit focused on Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) from April 19 to 25. The Caribbean neighbor is seeking to draw on Guyana’s recent progress and proven best practices in advancing inclusive education for learners with disabilities and additional support needs.
Earlier the same day, the visiting delegation held an opening working meeting with Guyana’s Minister of Education Sonia Parag, alongside the ministry’s most senior leadership: Permanent Secretary Shannielle Hoosein-Outar, Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain, Chief Planning Officer Miskcha White-Griffith, and Assistant Chief Education Officer Dr. Keon Cheong. During the discussion, representatives from both nations shared open insights into the progress, persistent challenges, and long-term strategic priorities for SEND development across their respective education systems.
Guyana’s Ministry of Education emphasized in an official statement that the cross-border dialogue underscores the country’s sustained commitment to building a more inclusive education ecosystem. This commitment has been delivered through targeted strategic investments, updated policy frameworks, and the expansion of specialized support services tailored to meet the unique needs of diverse learners. Over the past several years, the Guyanese government has recorded major, tangible strides in expanding equitable access to high-quality education for SEND students, aligning with its national pledge to leave no child behind in education.
Over the course of their week-long visit, the St. Lucian delegation will take part in a structured program of site visits to SEND facilities across Guyana. These on-the-ground visits will allow the delegation to observe first-hand the operational systems, institutional structures, and targeted intervention models that have driven Guyana’s measurable progress in this critical education sub-sector.
For Guyana, the official knowledge-sharing visit cements the country’s growing reputation as a regional leader in progressive educational development, particularly in the space of inclusive education. Officials also noted that the exchange reflects the Guyanese government’s longstanding dedication to continuous improvement, cross-border collaboration, and innovation across the national education sector.