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Teachers will now be held to a higher level of accountability as the Ministry of Education pushes for improved performance in the nursery education system across Guyana. This was revealed by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, during the recent commissioning of the Crane Nursery School on the West Coast of Demerara.

Minister Manickchand highlighted that over the next five years, the government will focus on ensuring every child is equipped with foundational skills from the nursery level.

“We are going to have to move to a place where Guyana is more accountable in the school system. We must measure what teachers do, we must measure their output, and whether they are effective in the classroom,” Manickchand said.

The Minister made it clear that children leaving a nursery class without essential skills – such as sounding out letters, identifying long and short vowel sounds, blending, and beginning to read by nursery year two – is unacceptable, unless the child has a disability. If a disability is identified, then that too will be properly addressed.

“Children must be numerate at an age-appropriate level. They must be able to write, and that requires different attention in the classroom,” Manickchand stated.

She urged teachers, especially nursery teachers, to take their roles seriously.

“If I had to teach, give me Grades Five and Six – don’t give me nursery. That is the hardest stage, in my view. So if this is not your thing, don’t do it. But don’t take a job and then come here and not deliver. You are failing entire households when you do that; you are failing the children, and we cannot have it,” Manickchand stressed.

Pointing to practices in private nursery schools, Manickchand said directors or headteachers assess each child termly to ensure progress, and if children are not learning, the teachers are sent home.

“In some schools, you’ll find ‘Miss Jenny’ is no longer there because her class couldn’t read. We don’t want to be employers without compassion, but our compassion must first be for the children,” the Education Minister stated.

She further urged headteachers to evaluate, manage, and support staff to ensure children leave with the skills they need.

However, the Minister noted, importantly, that the responsibility does not lie solely with the teachers.

Parents were also urged to play an active role in their child’s learning by ensuring punctual attendance and creating simple, engaging learning activities at home.

“When you go home every afternoon, you don’t have to run a big lesson, but you can have an alphabet chart on the wall or use clothes pegs on the line to help them build muscle,” Manickchand suggested.

Minister Manickchand outlined the government’s responsibility to build schools, furnish them, and train teachers. But she emphasised that teachers must show up and teach, and parents must support learning at home.

To date, the government has opened 54 new nursery schools across the country, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening early childhood education.

 

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Joe Root’s masterful 150 took him up to second on the all-time Test run-scorers’ list and gave England complete control over India at the end of day three of the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

By reaching 31, Root overtook India great Rahul Dravid and legendary South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis, and in continuing beyond 120, he went past former Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

His century was his 38th in Tests and it ground down a poor and beleaguered India as England reached 544-7 at the close, leading by 186.

After escaping a run-out chance on 22, Root’s latest triumph was chanceless.

He put on 144 with Ollie Pope and after Pope fell for 71 and Harry Brook for three – both to Washington Sundar in quick succession – Root shared a stand of 142 with Ben Stokes.

Their partnership was broken when Stokes retired hurt on 66 with cramp in the evening session and Root was struggling with a similar issue when he was finally stumped off Ravindra Jadeja shortly after.

Stokes returned to end the day 77 not out alongside Liam Dawson who is unbeaten on 21.

The hosts now have two days to complete the victory that would give them an unassailable 3-1 series lead.

Brilliant Root puts England on course

That this series has been so epic has been because whenever either side has been on top, the other has found a way to strike back. This was the day that finally ended.

Another Root epic ensured England had a near-perfect day, giving them hope of batting once and completing an innings victory.

When Root resumed on 11, England were still 133 behind in a strong but by no means secure position. When Brook fell they were still nine in arrears.

Root benefited from India captain Shubman Gill’s curious delay in introducing Sundar and the injury to Bumrah. India’s premier quick twisted his ankle walking down the stairs from the dressing room and was only able to bowl one over with the second new ball.

None of that should take away from Root’s brilliance, however.

The Lancashire crowd stridently cheered each of the Yorkshireman’s three milestones, with Ponting commentating for television when his haul was passed.

Though some rain is forecast over the weekend, the turn for Jadeja for the delivery that dismissed Root, plus significant low bounce from one end, should give England plenty of assistance when their attentions turn to dismissing India.

How Root took down the legends

Root is now 2,512 runs away from replacing India legend Sachin Tendulkar as Test cricket’s highest run-scorer. At his current rate of scoring, he will get there in 25 Tests.

This innings was the 34-year-old’s career rolled into one.

He accumulated with nudges, drove through the covers and played exquisite reverse sweeps against India’s spin.

Having batted through the morning session with Root, Pope nicked Sundar to slip in the off-spinner’s second over after lunch. Sundar found significant drift away from the right-handers – it also did for Brook who was beaten on the outside edge and stumped – but Root remained unflustered throughout that crucial spell.

It took him three overs to move from 98 to 100 but when he reached three figures he did so with a flick to fine leg. He passed Ponting with a trademark dab through point.

Stokes, batting as well as he has for a significant period, took time to get going against Washington and was just breaking free – he hit one extraordinary switch hit for four off Jadeja – when he started to become hampered by cramp.

After he retired hurt, Smith nicked Bumrah behind and Chris Woakes was bowled by one that kept horribly low from Siraj.

Returning to further cheers after an hour in dressing room, Stokes will be eyeing a first Test hundred since the Lord’s Ashes Test of July 2023. (BBC)

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Days after one major local bank shut down accounts belonging to candidates on Azruddin Mohamed’s political party, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo  defended the move, warning that Guyanese banks and the private sector must take U.S sanctions seriously or risk being cut off from the global financial system.

Speaking at his Thursday press conference, Jagdeo confirmed that former Permanent Secretary Mae Thomas — who was sanctioned alongside Mohamed by the United States — had her accounts closed by both Citizens Bank and Republic Bank.

“Several of Mohamed’s candidates have already had their accounts closed, and more banks will follow. They have no choice,” Jagdeo told reporters.

Jagdeo accused Mohamed’s camp of downplaying the repercussions of the US sanctions, saying they are misleading people by pretending it’s “nothing to worry about.”

“These people take it lightly — but the reality is, our local banks are part of the global financial system. They have to comply with sanctions or they risk losing access to correspondent banking relationships. No US bank will deal with a local bank that handles the money of someone under OFAC sanctions,” Jagdeo explained.

He stressed that candidates on Mohamed’s WIN party list are directly linked to a sanctioned individual and are therefore flagged for “enhanced scrutiny” by financial institutions.

“It’s different if you’re not on the list — but once you are part of his formal political submission, you’re caught in the net,” Jagdeo said.

Demerara Bank recently closed accounts of several WIN party candidates and at least one other major bank has signalled similar plans.

Jagdeo said the private sector must pay attention to how serious this is, pointing to the recent comments by the US Ambassador expressed concern that Azruddin was contesting in local elections and possibly make it into Parliament.

“The private sector should be worried — look at what’s happening with the Vreed-en-Hoop shore base. US companies are guided by Treasury’s stance, and any entanglement with sanctioned people can drag the whole project into risk,” he warned.

Mohamed and Mae Thomas were both sanctioned by the US last year for alleged involvement in massive gold smuggling and corruption schemes. Mohamed has publicly denied the allegations and is pushing ahead with his new political outfit, WIN — even as financial pressure mounts.

Jagdeo urged local businesses and banks not to jeopardise their future for what he called the reckless ambitions of a sanctioned gold dealer.

“Nobody should risk the future of an entire bank — or this country’s reputation — just to please one man who’s under international sanctions,” he said.

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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has dismissed as laughable Wednesday’s claim by U.S sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed that he would refuse a presidential salary if elected to office.

Mohamed made the declaration at a public meeting in Parfait Harmonie, telling supporters he would forego any pay if he leads the country and give it to charity instead.

But while addressing the media on Thursday, Jagdeo scoffed at the promise, describing it as hollow.

“So he says he won’t take a salary — but this is a man who evaded $11 billion in taxes. He hasn’t served a single day in government yet he’s already collected the equivalent of 275 years of a presidential salary,” Jagdeo said.

The Vice President accused Mohamed of enriching himself through years of gold smuggling and tax evasion, pointing out that even the duties avoided on his luxury Lamborghini are more than “ten years of a president’s salary.”

“That’s not a great promise to make — it’s a sham. He says he’ll fight corruption when he’s under US sanctions for gold smuggling. He’s also been implicated in torture and trafficking of people,” Jagdeo told reporters.

Jagdeo said it was “insulting” that someone sanctioned by the United States now parades himself as a champion of clean governance.

“What irks me most is that the most corrupt person in this country is the loudest about corruption. The reality is, he can’t even have a bank account anywhere in the world because of international sanctions,” Jagdeo said.

Mohamed was sanctioned by the US Treasury Department last year for alleged involvement in transnational gold smuggling, fraud, and other illicit activities. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Jagdeo urged Guyanese to see through what he described as “cheap stunts and empty talk.”

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Vice President and General Secretary of the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Bharrat Jagdeo, is warning supporters to remain vigilant against what he describes as a “master plan” by the opposition and U.S-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed to drag the ruling party below 50% in Parliament.

Jagdeo made the comments on Thursday as he highlighted accusations of quiet backdoor deals between APNU, AFC, and Mohamed — who was sanctioned by the United States last year — to weaken the PPP/C at any cost.

“They want to take this country back to the days of minority government — like in 2011 when the PPP had the presidency but couldn’t get anything done. That’s their hope,” Jagdeo said.

He pointed to statements by AFC executive David Patterson, who, when asked at his party’s recent press conference about possible deals, confirmed that “discussions are always ongoing and will continue until the final decision is made.”

Jagdeo described that as clear proof of plans to forge alliances, no matter how unsavoury the partners.

“Anyone but the PPP — that’s what they’re saying. Patterson practically admitted he’d collaborate with the devil — someone like Azruddin Mohamed — who’s sanctioned and endangers this country’s security. They’ll destroy Guyana just to get rid of the PPP,” Jagdeo declared.

He claimed elements of the local media were part of what he described as a wider agenda to erode the governing party’s support.

“Some sections of the media are complicit — they magnify opposition sideshows but downplay the overwhelming support the PPP has earned on the ground,” Jagdeo added.

Referencing the APNU’s own press conference this week, Jagdeo pointed to the Opposition Leader’s refusal to answer questions about allegations that Mohamed is paying people to vote, instead deflecting blame to the government.

“It shows they don’t care about the risks Mohamed poses — all they care about is unseating the PPP at any cost,” he said.

Jagdeo warned that if the PPP/C is forced into a minority, Guyana risks slipping back into gridlock and political stalemate.

“People must remember what it was like when we had a minority government — nothing moved, everything stalled, and the opposition used budget cuts to cripple the country’s development. They are obsessed with hate for the PPP, even if it means Guyanese suffer again,” he said.

The Vice President maintained that the PPP/C will remain focused on delivering for the people and is training over 3,000 polling agents to guard against any attempt to manipulate the next election.

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Vice President and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday brushed aside the opposition’s attempts to downplay what he described as “possibly the largest rally in Guyana’s history,” while praising Berbicians for their overwhelming and organic show of support.

Opening his weekly press conference, Jagdeo pointed to the massive turnout at the Albion rally on Sunday last, which he said was fuelled by genuine enthusiasm, not manufactured crowds.

“That crowd in Berbice was mainly Berbicians — people from Region Six who came on their own. They were not bussed in,” Jagdeo said. “Unlike the opposition, which drags people from all over just to create photo ops for Facebook.”

He argued that while the opposition parties magnify small gatherings at places like Parfait Harmonie and Melanie to appear relevant, the PPP/C’s crowds speak for themselves.

“They bussed people into Parfait Harmonie and it was still small. At Melanie, they brought people from Regions 10, 5, 6 and 3 into what’s historically an opposition stronghold — and still, the crowd was thin,” Jagdeo said.

He acknowledged that rallies alone do not win elections but called them a clear test of the people’s willingness to stand up and show their support.

“We are thankful to all those in Berbice who came out, many walked long distances — tens of thousands of people, many of them young people. That energy tells you something,” he added.

Jagdeo also highlighted recent massive meetings in Moruca and Mahdia, pointing out that they reflect the PPP/C’s continued support in Amerindian communities.

“We haven’t fixed every issue, but people see the commitment. They see the work, and they stand with us,” he said.

He closed by criticising what he described as sections of the media ignoring the scale of the party’s support.

“Some parts of the media refuse to acknowledge this reality, but the people see it,” Jagdeo said.

The Vice President stressed that the campaign will continue to reach every corner of the country, building on what he called an “unstoppable momentum.”

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West Indies players Shamar Joseph, Kyle Mayers and Ronsford Beaton are among a fleet of talented cricketers to feature in ‘Super Sunday’ for the Essequibo Zone in the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast 2025.

Instead of the initially scheduled Saturday and Sunday, all the action will be on Sunday (July 27), with the hunt to crown the final zone champion.

Beaton, who played two One-Day Internationals for the West Indies, leads the Avinash All-Stars on turf.

The All-Stars will have the big-hitting all-rounder of Mayers and talented players such as Thaddeus Lovell, Carlos LaRose, Ashmead Nedd and Steven Sankar.

The other heavyweight on paper would be 2024 national semi-finalists, Mahdia (Movements Family), who have in their ranks, West Indies pace sensation, Shamar Joseph.

Joseph was a key figure in the success of the inaugural champions, Eccles All-Stars in 2023, and certainly adds potency to Mahdia, who will call upon other seasoned campaigners such as Ricardo Adams, Ershaad Ali, Daniel Seegobin, and Suresh Dhanai.

While on paper those two may peek the interest of title contenders in the zone, a skim through other 14 squads breathes life of young and promising talents from the region such as Jathaniel Nurse for Essequibo Jaguars, Ronaldo Jeffrey for Bartica Royals among others.

Some seasoned campaigners in national players such as the Fredricks brothers, Norwayne and Norman, will also be on show as a formidable softball unit, Ariel, will field a team.

The rising stars of Renegades Cricket Club are another bunch to keep on the radar, which makes this zone too close to call.

Matches in Essequibo will be held at Pomona Ground, Richmond Ballfield, Hampton Court and Anna Regina ground.

Montra Jaguars (Berbice), Eccles All-Stars (East Bank Demerara/West Demerara), and Titans All-Stars (East Coast/ Georgetown) are the three-zone champions, and attention is now on who will fill the final spot.

The participating teams for the Essequibo zone are: Aurora Knight Riders, Team Evolution, Team Royals, Renegades Cricket Club, The United Crew, Mahdia (Movements Family), Matarkai CPG, Bartica Royals, Moruca Super Strikers, Queenstown (Ariel XI), Inevitable XI, Avinash All-Stars, and Essequibo Jaguars.

Adding to the excitement, admission to all venues throughout the tournament is free, and matches commence at 09:00h.

Beyond the bragging rights, significant financial rewards are also on offer. The zone champion will receive a handsome $300,000, while the runner-up will receive $100,000.

However, the stakes get even higher at the national final, where teams will vie for an additional $1.7 million grand prize.

The national runner-up will pocket $700,000 along with a trophy and medals, and even the losing semi-finalists will be rewarded with $300,000 each.

The national finals will be on Sunday, August 3, at the National Stadium, Providence.

Individual brilliance won’t go unnoticed either, with a host of prizes up for grabs, including MVP ($150,000 + motorcycle), Most Runs ($100,000 + trophy + TV), Most Wickets ($100,000 + trophy + TV), Man-of-the-National Final ($75,000 + trophy + TV), Highest Strike Rate ($35,000), and Best Economy ($35,000).

The Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast has garnered support from: Kares Engineering Inc, the Office of the President, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, KFC Guyana, Star Rentals, Banks DIH, ENet, Guyana Lottery Company, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Impressions, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal, Shawn’s Mini Mart, Giftland Group of Companies, Kris Jagdeo Construction Company, Montra Restaurant & Lounge, Windsor Estates, The New Doctor’s Clinic, GuyOil, ANSA McAL, SuperBet Guyana, Digital Technology, Camille’s Academy, Navin Construction, Demerara Mutual Life Insurance, Continental Transportation, and Environmental & Technical Solutions.

 

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A man was remanded to prison after being charged on Thursday with the murder of a man in an incident that occurred in 2024.

Nicholas Johnson, called ‘Suga,’ a 25-year-old heavy-duty machine operator, appeared before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy at the Springlands Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The court heard that on February 20,2024, at Number 53 Village, Corentyne, Johnson fatally stabbed 31-year-old Colene Toney.
During the proceedings, Johnson was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Reports indicate that the incident unfolded at about 11:30 PM following a dispute over a phone. What began as a verbal altercation escalated into a fight, during which Johnson allegedly stabbed Toney, a labourer from Number 53 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. Johnson then fled the scene on a motorcycle.

Left is Nicholas Johnson; right is Colen Toney

Toney was discovered lying on the ground, bleeding heavily. He was rushed to the Skeldon Public Hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

Seventeen months after the incident, Johnson surrendered to the Springlands Police Station in the company of an attorney, ending a lengthy period in hiding.

Johnson, who is represented by attorneys Chandra Sohan and Adrian Annamyaha, had his case transferred to the Number 51 Magistrates’ Court. It is set for continuation on August 27, 2025.

While in custody, police informed Johnson that in his absence, he was sentenced to 51 months in prison for felonious wounding of Andrea Greaves, a sentence handed down by Magistrate Robindranauth Singh.

He has also been committed by Magistrate Renita Singh to stand trial in the High Court for rape and faces additional charges for causing bodily harm through reckless driving and multiple counts of assault.

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