FOR years, the lack of impressive results at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination, has hindered the academic advancement of many Guyanese, but, the government’s 20,000 online scholarships initiative has, somewhat, broken down this barrier by eliminating CSEC as a requirement for acceptance into the programmes being offered.
In essence, not having CSEC passes will not prevent a person from acquiring a wholesome education at an internationally-recognised university.
This was said by Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, during her remarks at one of several outreaches in Region One (Barima-Waini), on Wednesday.
Parag said that the government is fully cognisant of the fact that success at CSEC requires much more than intellect, and that oftentimes, a lack of resources and, in some cases, unfortunate circumstances, prevent persons from doing well at those examinations.
To fill this gap, the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) will be offering preparatory courses which seek to ensure that persons meet the requirements for more advanced courses they wish to pursue.

“That is a six-month programme and it carries two courses, and if you’re successful with those courses you can now go on to apply for a diploma or degree…without your CXC (Caribbean Examination Council) [subjects],” Minister Parag said. She said that the GOAL initiative was not crafted in a vacuum, and that it addresses the concerns of grassroots Guyanese, having relied on the outcome of a series of comprehensive community consultations held across the country, during the five years that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) was out of office.
“His Excellency (Dr. Irfaan Ali) would have been on the ground speaking to persons in different communities and realised that there was really a gap in the education system; it was not being reached equally across the country to our people,” Minister Parag explained.  She said that President Ali’s intention was to roll out a local education programme that is unmatched.
“Education and the striving for higher education is something that has always been a priority of the government, and this would’ve started since 1992 when Dr. Cheddi Jagan would have entered into office,” Parag said.

Those efforts, she noted, continued with the Jagans’ successor, former President and now Vice- President, Dr. Bharat Jagdeo, who developed a number of bilateral relationships with countries that offer higher education. “…and here we are today, in 2021, rolling out His Excellency’s initiative of giving you, not only a higher education, but an education in a modern time,” Minister Parag told the Region One residents. She noted that even in the absence of the coronavirus, the scholarships programme would still have adopted an online approach, in keeping with global technological advancements, and the needs of learners who are employed and require flexible learning schedules. IN recognising the glaring telecommunication needs of various communities throughout Guyana, Parag said that efforts are afoot to assess and remedy the situation. She maintained, however, that the online courses do not require constant internet access, and that persons without steady Wi-Fi or data could still take advantage of the thousands of scholarships being offered. Minister Parag also reminded persons that not only are the scholarships being fully financed by the Government of Guyana, but it also comes with no strings attached. “Take this opportunity; do not let it pass you by,” the Public Service Minister stressed.

BRIDGING THE GAP
Also accompanying Minister Parag was Housing Minister, Collin Croal, who emphasised the fact that the GOAL initiative was one that was being executed in a manner which sought to bridge the gap and level the playing field between services offered on the coastland, and what is available in the far-flung regions. He further commended Minister Parag for ensuring that the programme was being promoted equally, throughout the country. Meanwhile, Director of the GOAL, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, told the Region One residents that the GOAL platform offers in excess of 85 programmes, and that it gives applicants the opportunity to choose and prioritise three options. His advice to applicants was: “Look for something that you are qualified for, or something that you really want to do.” Opadeyi, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, also assured the prospective applicants that they still have time to prepare and get their affairs in order, since the scholarships will be available over the next five years. “If you don’t get through this year, you can apply next year,” Professor Opadeyi posited.
The GOAL initiative is being executed jointly between the Ministries of Public Service and Education.