–Minister Sukhai highlights government’s major education, social support

MINISTER within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Pauline Sukhai, has underscored the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s growing investment in education and social services, highlighting that children now receive state support from birth through to university.
Speaking at a recent community meeting, Sukhai outlined the range of programmes available to Guyanese families, noting that government assistance now accompanies children throughout their educational journey.
She pointed to the $100,000 cash grant provided at birth, the combined $85,000 ‘Because We Care’ and transportation grants for school-aged children, as well as government-funded Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) examinations.
She said these initiatives, together with free tertiary education, reflect the government’s commitment to investing in human capital.
“Currently, as soon as your child is born, they get $100,000. As soon as they enter nursery, they start getting their ‘Because We Care’ grant. By the time they reach secondary school, they get eight subjects that the government pays for them to write at CSEC,” Sukhai said.
She contrasted the current situation with previous years when many parents struggled to afford examination fees for their children.
The minister stated, “Five to seven years ago, people were struggling to find CSEC fees. These days, our children are doing a lot more subjects because they are better off than our parents or even our grandparents were.”
Sukhai also underscored the government’s policy of free university education, describing tuition as the largest expense faced by students pursuing higher learning.
According to the minister, the government now absorbs that cost while continuing to invest in educational infrastructure and teaching resources.
“As soon as you get out of secondary school, if you’re inclined to invest in your education, you can head straight to the university without having to pay a cent,” she said.
While acknowledging that students may still incur expenses for transportation, materials and projects, Sukhai noted that tuition—the largest financial burden—is now fully covered by the government.
“The government provides the infrastructure, the tutors and free tuition. All you have to do is take yourself to the university,” she told residents.
The minister also encouraged adults who may have missed earlier educational opportunities to take advantage of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), describing it as an accessible pathway to further education and skills training.
She said increased internet connectivity across Guyana has made it easier for persons to enroll in online programmes from their own communities.
Sukhai said, “I want those who are still not taking up the opportunity to know that it is right into their homes now because most people have connectivity.”
She specifically encouraged housewives, gardeners and other adults with flexible schedules to consider enrolling in GOAL programmes to improve their qualifications and employment prospects.
According to Sukhai, the initiative is not limited to persons pursuing university degrees but also caters to individuals seeking practical skills or those who need to strengthen their academic qualifications before entering tertiary education.
“If you’re not academically inclined or you’re short of your CSEC, there’s a course also that you can take under the GOAL scholarship to enhance where you are and to build you up for entry into university,” she said.
Sukhai urged residents to spread awareness of the educational opportunities available, encouraging families and communities to ensure that more Guyanese benefit from the Government’s investment in education.
The government has made education and social welfare a central pillar of its development agenda, investing in cash grants, educational subsidies and free tertiary education to reduce the financial burden on families.