Education and Training at the Forefront of Guyana’s Development

The PPP/C government’s commitment to education in Guyana has seen substantial investment of over $608 billion from 2020 to 2025, significantly enhancing access and infrastructure. Key initiatives include reinstating cash grants, expanding meal programs for students, providing free tertiary education, and the introduction of free CXC exams. The education sector has witnessed a transformation, resulting in an increase in trained teachers and a populace better prepared for the future.

Upward social mobility is absolutely critical for human development, and in places like Guyana, one of the most effective methods to climb the socio-economic ladder is through education and training. Political parties often seem to prioritize promises, but the reality is that promises are easy to make but far harder to keep. The APNU-AFC party is notorious for not fulfilling its commitments from previous terms, especially when you compare their accomplishments in education against the current PPP/C government. The results speak for themselves.

The PPP/C has invested over $608 billion in education during its tenure from 2020 to 2025, a significant increase compared to the $209 billion spent by the APNU-AFC in their last term (2015-2019). Their focus has been on primary, secondary, and tertiary education along with critical infrastructure and training. Notable achievements include the creation of 25,000 new school spaces, the establishment of 59 new nursery schools, and 85 renovated educational institutions. The financial commitment continues, with $36 billion planned in 2025 to build additional schools, ensuring access to quality education.

Key initiatives are already in place to support students and families. The ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, which provides financial help for school necessities, was first introduced by the PPP/C in 2014 but was cut under the APNU-AFC. Now, it’s back, offering parents $55,000 for educational support. Hunger is a major barrier to learning, which is why the PPP/C initiated the National School Feeding Program. Notably, the number of children receiving hot meals has risen from just over 26,000 to 37,000—an impressive 38% increase.

Recognizing that textbooks can be a heavy burden for families, the government has allocated over $8 billion since 2020, with an additional $2 billion earmarked for 2025. One of the major promises made in the PPP’s 2020 Election Manifesto was for free tertiary education. This is now a reality; students at the University of Guyana and government-supported technical institutions no longer pay tuition or fees, leading to over $13 billion invested in higher education for 2025.

The access to teacher training has also improved, as the Cyril Potter College of Education expanded opportunities through online instruction. The count of certified teachers has significantly risen from 7,921 in 2020 to 12,876 in 2024, with more teachers preparing to graduate this year. Furthermore, a huge step towards making examinations affordable has been achieved with the introduction of free CXC examinations for both CSEC and CAPE subjects for public and private school students alike, benefiting over 13,000 secondary students.

Additionally, Guyanese citizens can be proud of the 29,758 scholarships awarded by the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL); few countries can boast such achievements in scholarship provision. In the realm of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), positive momentum is apparent with TVET programs available in 74 secondary schools and significant new facilities launched across various regions.

Partnerships with the private sector have also allowed for the establishment of specialized training centers. One notable example includes the Oil & Gas Training Centre (ODITC) at Lusignan, which has successfully trained around 4,000 technicians in diverse fields related to oil and gas. Furthermore, the Facility Simulator project at Tain simulates offshore operations training, ensuring these students are job-ready upon graduation.

In conclusion, since August 2020, the PPP/C administration has established a verifiable record of educational success. Not only have promises been fulfilled, but expectations have been exceeded, leading to a more educated and skilled population in Guyana. Education and training are not just priorities anymore; they are at the forefront guiding Guyana towards a promising future.

In summary, over the past few years, the PPP/C government has significantly bolstered educational investment and infrastructure in Guyana. Initiatives like the reinstatement of cash grants, the expansion of the National School Feeding Programme, and free tertiary education reflect a commitment to lifting educational standards. The government has not only fulfilled its promises; it has gone beyond expectations. Guyana’s educational landscape has transformed, facilitating upward socio-economic mobility through effective training and education.

Original Source: demerarawaves.com