–as gov’t scales up schools, digital learning and UG programmes to ensure world-class training for all Guyanese
SENIOR Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, has underscored that sustained investment in education remains the most critical pillar of Guyana’s long-term development strategy, as government accelerates school construction, digital-learning access and new University of Guyana (UG) programmes nationwide.
During a recent interview aired on the National Communications Network (NCN) Berbice, Dr Singh said the administration’s education agenda is geared towards equipping citizens with world-class skills to match the demands of a rapidly transforming economy driven by energy, infrastructural and industrial expansion.
“There’s no investment that is more important than building human capital [and] than training people. What we want to achieve is world-class education for all Guyanese and at all levels,” he said.
He explained that a key focus is ensuring universal access to basic and secondary education through an aggressive nationwide school-construction programme, particularly in hinterland and riverain communities that previously lacked adequate facilities.
“We are building schools where they did not previously exist to make sure that everybody can go to school and can complete at least a basic secondary education,” Dr Singh noted.
For instance, he pointed to the ongoing construction of a secondary school in Orealla, which previously had none.
Located at Orealla, a riverain village along the Berbice River, this project represents a major investment in the local education infrastructure, with a total project value of G$198,866,010, a press release from the ministry said.
The new Orealla Secondary School will feature six modern classrooms, four specialised laboratories and a well-equipped library, aimed at providing a high-quality learning environment for approximately 180 students.
Dr Singh also pointed to financial interventions aimed at easing the burden on families. He said the restoration and successive increases of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant have provided tangible support to parents across the country.
“When we came into government, we said we will restore the cash grant that had been taken away. We have done that. We said we will increase it, and we have increased it. And in this year’s budget, we have further increased it. So now every single parent is going to be getting a larger cash grant for their child to support their child’s educational endeavours,” he said.
Beyond infrastructural and financial support, the minister emphasised improvements in the delivery of education through digital platforms and enhanced teacher training. He highlighted the Guyana Digital School as a transformative initiative, enabling students nationwide to access learning resources from their homes.
“Every single Guyanese child in their own home can stay home and be able to access the Guyana Digital School,” he stated.
At the secondary level, government has also removed financial barriers by funding up to eight Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) subjects for students, thereby expanding opportunities for academic advancement.
He also highlighted the major expansion of the University of Guyana (UG)’s academic offerings, with the launch of new high-demand degree programmes in the medical, engineering, and marine sciences fields. This initiative aims to provide increased access to education and address the nation’s demand for skilled professionals across multiple sectors.
The expansion includes a new Pre-Medical Sciences programme, as well as Civil Engineering and Construction and Infrastructure degrees, which will initially be offered in Regions Two, Three, Six, and Nine, outside the capital. The move is intended to allow students to pursue critical career pathways closer to their homes, while supporting regional development.
He also encouraged citizens, particularly in Region Six, to take advantage of technical and vocational training opportunities that are being expanded to align with the region’s anticipated industrial growth.
“I’m appealing to people to please take advantage of these training opportunities. They’re available, they’re for you, and they are intended to benefit the young people of Guyana and even the not so young who may be willing and interested in retraining themselves or upskilling themselves and acquiring new skills,” Dr Singh urged.
