Guyana is set to open its first specialized school for children with autism later this year, in a move aimed at expanding educational opportunities and support services for children living with disabilities.
According to reports by Guyanese media outlet the announcement was made by First Lady Arya Ali during her address to the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
The new institution will be constructed at the Cyril Potter College of Education in Turkeyen and forms part of wider efforts by the Guyanese government to promote greater inclusion for persons with disabilities.
The First Lady said the initiative reflected Guyana’s commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities are afforded equal opportunities and are able to participate fully in society.
The project is backed by funding allocated in the country’s 2026 budget, which set aside G$316.5m for programmes and projects benefiting children and adults living with disabilities.
The autism school builds on recent efforts to strengthen support systems for children with special educational needs. In 2025, Guyana opened its first school dedicated to children with hearing impairments and continued programmes aimed at improving accessibility and providing training for persons with disabilities.
Speaking at the UN conference, Mrs Ali also called for closer cooperation among governments, international organizations, technology stakeholders and persons with disabilities to advance accessibility and inclusion worldwide, according to Newsroom Guyana.
The planned school will mark a significant milestone for Guyana, providing specialized educational services for children on the autism spectrum for the first time in the country’s history.
Source: Newsroom Guyana