RESIDENTS of indigenous communities in Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) have been engaged on the government’s “20,000 scholarship” programme, as part of an effort by authorities to promote this initiative nationwide.
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, during a recent two-day outreach to communities in those regions, encouraged persons to capitalise on the programme, which is offered free of cost. The minister, in addressing residents, said Guyana is on a path to significant economic development and there will be a demand for trained Guyanese to support the petroleum and traditional sectors.
“I want to encourage the people to see this as important because we need to develop the skills in our country to be able to deal with the modern Guyana; a modern, diversified Guyana where our young people have the right skills and the opportunities to improve themselves,” Teixeira said.

Minister Teixeira said that, in the coming weeks, the Public Service Ministry will be heading into Amerindian communities to conduct a scholarship application exercise.
The 20,000 scholarships initiative is in keeping with a commitment made by President Dr. Irfaan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), in its manifesto, to empower the nation through education, over the next five years.
Guyanese can apply to pursue any of the over 80 programmes being offered through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) from five internationally-recognised institutions. These are the University of the West Indies Open Campus; the University of the Southern Caribbean; the University of Applied Sciences; the Indira Gandhi National Open University and the JAIN (Deemed-to-be) University.
Programmes will be offered from the certificate to the PhD level. Application forms are now available on the Ministry of Education’s website: www.education.gov.gy (DPI)