THE Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) programme will continue in 2026 with an unlimited number of scholarships available to all eligible Guyanese, backed by a $5.8 billion allocation in this year’s National Budget.
Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, announced the expanded scope of the programme during his recent budget presentation, during which he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to widening access to tertiary education and skills training.
According to Dr Singh, 10,805 scholarships were awarded through GOAL in 2025, and the programme will now move to provide an unlimited number of scholarships.
“In keeping with our 2025 Manifesto, we will continue the programme, now offering an unlimited number of scholarships to all eligible Guyanese,” the minister said.
He noted that the initiative has already transformed access to higher education, particularly for those who may not have otherwise been able to pursue post-secondary studies.
“This has made it possible for thousands of persons to access tertiary education who might not otherwise be able to,” Dr Singh added.
This year, he stated that the $5.8 billion allocation will be used to expand scholarships across a wide range of academic and professional disciplines, ensuring sustained participation and growth in the programme.
Since its inception in 2021, GOAL has awarded more than 39,000 scholarships spanning certificate, diploma, bachelor’s, postgraduate, master’s and PhD programmes. This figure is almost double the government’s original target of 20,000 scholarships by 2025, which underscores the rapid expansion of the initiative and growing public demand.
Additionally, along with traditional academic pathways, GOAL also offers vocational and certificate programmes, alongside the Get Ready for Opportunities to Work (GROW) initiative.
Through partnerships with several local and international education institutions, GOAL currently provides access to more than 100 short, skills-based programmes, many of which require no formal educational qualifications for entry.
The GROW initiative comprises a few pathways, the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 6, the Bachelor’s Foundation Programme (BFP), and the US High School Diploma, all set up to prepare participants for entry into bachelor’s degree programmes.
The programme has also seen strong matriculation numbers since its inception, with over 6,000 persons graduating in 2025.
