Awards for Writers in Guyana
The Teacher Marshall Literary Award is established to celebrate and honour excellence in Guyanese writing and storytelling. Named in tribute to pioneering educator Drucilla Clarke Marshall, the award recognises authors residing in Guyana whose work enriches the nation’s literary landscape. Categories include Non-fiction, Fiction, Poetry, and Children’s Literature, with additional honours for Guyanese-based writers who have made outstanding contributions to Guyanese literature. A distinguished panel of judges—comprising Guyanese-born editors from around the world, alongside award-winning librarians and educators—will evaluate submissions, ensuring a standard of literary merit that reflects the legacy of Teacher Marshall’s lifelong commitment to education and cultural development.
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About Teacher Marshall
Drucilla Clarke Marshall was a pioneering educator born in Guyana in 1888, where she lived her entire life until her passing in 1978. She made a lasting impact on Guyana's educational landscape by founding the Teacher Marshall Kindergarten School, which she operated from a humble bottom house in Alberttown, Georgetown.
With passion and dedication, Drucilla nurtured the minds of countless young Guyanese, many of whom went on to make significant contributions to the nation. Among her most notable former students was Wordsworth McAndrew, one of Guyana’s national treasures. McAndrew, who spent his early years in Cummingsburg and later in Newtown, Kitty, attended Teacher Marshall Kindergarten before moving on to Christ Church Primary School and Queen's College. He would become one of the country’s most revered folklorists, poets, radio broadcasters, writers, and creative artists.
Drucilla’s legacy extended beyond her efforts as her influence inspired several of her children, nieces, and grandchildren to pursue careers in education, continuing the work she began. She is also the great-grandmother of the Guyanese-born award-winning children's book writer, Yolanda T. Marshall. Through her school and her enduring example, Drucilla Clarke Marshall helped shape the foundation of Guyana’s educational and cultural heritage.