Education Minister Sonia Parag hailed the 2026 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) results as the strongest ever recorded in Guyana, attributing the achievement to years of sustained investment in education and targeted interventions aimed at improving literacy and numeracy.
Addressing students, parents, teachers and education officials during the results announcement ceremony at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Friday, Parag congratulated the 15,706 candidates who wrote this year's examination, describing their performance as "record-breaking history."
"You have made history, record-breaking history. You have produced a truly record-breaking performance this year. These are the best and strongest National Grade Six Assessment results not only over the past five years, but the best result that has ever been recorded in our country's history. In fact, yesterday, when we received the results from CXC, we asked to compare our performance with that of other territories across the region with similar type of assessments. And I am proud to say that Guyana's results have exceeded the regional benchmark," she said.
Parag credited the achievement to deliberate policy measures implemented over several years, including expanded literacy and numeracy camps, enhanced teacher training, targeted interventions following mock examinations, increased access to textbooks, school construction and upgrades, and the Because We Care cash grant initiative.
She said literacy remains the foundation of educational success, noting that students who struggle with reading often face difficulties across multiple subject areas, including mathematics.
"That is why one of my earliest priorities was to sharpen our national focus on literacy and numeracy. Every credible international study and every respected education expert will tell you that these are the building blocks upon which all learning depends. And I pause here again to recognise the team from the Ministry of Education that have put all of their expertise, their energies, and their efforts towards ensuring that we can build upon this foundation," she said.
Parag said the Guyana Digital School, launched in December 2025, will become fully operational in September, providing free online access to the complete primary and secondary curriculum for students nationwide.
She said the 2027 NGSA examinations will be administered on 14 and 15 April, with results scheduled for release on 25 June 2027.