THE Ministry of Education and national, regional and international partners are reviewing the progress of Guyana’s US$5 million Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Compact, with a focus on strengthening school leadership, improving the use of education data and ensuring the sustainability of ongoing reforms.
The Mid-Term Review was held on Tuesday to assess implementation since the GPE Compact was launched in 2023, identify continuing challenges and inform the development of Guyana’s next national Education Sector Plan.
Supported by a US$5 million GPE System Transformation Grant, the Partnership Compact provides a coordinated framework for government policy and international financial and technical assistance, rather than financing a series of separate short-term projects.
At the centre of the initiative is the strengthening of instructional leadership across school and district management networks.
A key area under review is progress in equipping Headteachers and District Education Officers (DEOs) to take on stronger instructional leadership roles through the National Education Leadership Academy (NELA) programme.
The initiative seeks to strengthen school management and establish clearer performance standards while addressing longstanding challenges, including seniority-based promotion practices and limited support for middle-level education supervisors.
Participants are also examining the use of foundational learning assessments and education data to identify learning gaps at an early stage and improve support for students.
Particular attention is being given to students in hinterland and riverine communities, migrant populations and children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
The review is also examining measures to address violence and bullying in schools as the ministry works to promote safer and more conducive learning environments for students.
Another key issue under discussion is securing sustainable financing to maintain the education reforms beyond the current implementation period.
The review has brought together representatives of government ministries, regional education authorities, teachers, civil society and development partners, including the GPE, UNESCO-IIEP, Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank, UNICEF and CARICOM.
The discussions are expected to help identify areas requiring further attention while informing the priorities and strategies of Guyana’s next Education Sector Plan.