UAE school for special needs children launched

In an attempt to transform the educational landscape for children with special needs, the Government of Guyana, in partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), officially commissioned the Yas School of Inspiration yesterday.

The state-of-the-art facility, located at Crane, West Coast Demerara, was inaugurated by President Irfaan Ali and Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation. They were joined by First Lady Arya Ali, Minister of Education Sonia Parag, and Minister of Human Services and Social Secu-rity Dr. Vindhya Persaud.

The US$500,000 school is designed to provide specialised, custom-tailored education for children living with disabilities, with a particular focus on those with autism. President Ali described the project as a “celebration of diplomacy at work,” noting that it represents a bridge of cooperation between Guyana and the UAE. “The Yas School of Inspiration stands as an example of what is possible when global solidarity intertwines with national resolve and is animated by local heartfelt compassion,” President Ali stated. He further revealed that the name ‘Yas’ holds deep significance, paying tribute to the Bani Yas tribe—the foundational pillar of the UAE’s leadership—symbolizing strength, character, and a life of “giving and fragrance.”