GCOPD with support from ExxonMobil Guyana, launched Phase 7 of its Inclusive Innovators

On Friday, September 25, 2026, the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), with support from ExxonMobil Guyana, launched Phase 7 of its Inclusive Innovators; STEM and Life Skills Clubs for Children with Disabilities Programme.  The launch was held at the headquarters of ExxonMobil Guyana, Ogle, East Coast Demerara. Delivering the feature address was Dr. Deborah London on behalf of Dr. Keon Cheong, Assistant Chief Education Officer for Special Education Needs of the Ministry of Education.  Also delivering remarks were, Ms. Nakisha Burns, ExxonMobil Guyana’s Public and Government Affairs Manager, Mr. Ganesh Singh, GCOPD Programme Manager, and Ms. Mekyla Belgrave, a past beneficiary who shared her experience of the programme.

Through the Inclusive Innovators programme, 320 children with disabilities will receive STEM training, including robotics technology.  This will be done through targeted practical sessions, guest lectures, educational tours and special projects. All beneficiaries will receive rehabilitation counselling. Additionally, sensitisation sessions will be conducted with parents of children with disabilities to provide guidance on how they can best support their children.  In this phase, nine Inclusive Innovators Clubs will be maintained and three specialised STEM clubs will be established.  These will be in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.  Targeted sessions will be conducted with children with disabilities in Regions 1 and 10.

In her remarks, Dr. London on behalf of Dr. Cheong highlighted the significant impact of the programme on the children with disabilities in the SEN schools by increasing their understanding of the field of STEM and the possible careers for persons with disabilities in this field.  She reminded all in attendance the importance of measuring success by impact on the beneficiaries and not only numbers.  Dr. London further highlighted the need to tailor the current curriculum to include more children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities in order to ensure that these individuals can have a better understanding of the STEM field.