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Georgetown, Guyana – September 25, 2025 – Facing mounting reports of failing utilities in schools nationwide, and what officials describe as the systematic sabotage of hinterland water systems, the government has moved into crisis-response mode. On Thursday afternoon, Education Minister Sonia Parag and Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar convened an emergency meeting at the Ministry of Education’s Brickdam boardroom. Out of it came a new rapid-response taskforce tasked with confronting water and power failures that have left students and teachers struggling across multiple regions. The high-level meeting drew in Permanent Secretary Shannielle Hoosein-Outar, Chief Planning Officer Mischka White-Griffith, Deputy Chief Education Officers Tiffany Harvey and Marti DeSouza, Buildings Unit Head Gerron Parker, and a technical team from Guyana Water Inc. (GWI). Authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing into what appears to be deliberate destruction of hinterland water distribution networks. In the meantime, the taskforce will move swiftly to repair damaged systems, put additional security in place at wells and other critical utility sites, and begin constructing water reservoirs to create a more sustainable supply for more than 250 hinterland and satellite communities, particularly during the dry season. Beyond the hinterland, the ministers also reviewed a detailed list of schools from Regions One through Ten facing water and electrical problems. Minister Indar pledged to resolve all issues within his remit within six weeks, while Minister Parag committed to working with other ministries and agencies to ensure all students and teachers regain access to reliable utilities as quickly as possible. Both ministers stressed that the welfare of students and teachers is the priority, promising that every necessary measure will be taken to ensure classrooms remain functional, safe, and conducive to learning.
