AFC unveils ‘education policy’ echoing some of PPP/C’s achievements

…uses photo from Education Ministry’s smart-classroom launching to promise smart classroom

The Alliance for Change (AFC) has released its education policy, which it hopes to implement should it win the upcoming elections.
But the policy includes objectives that incorporate existing education programmes under the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government.
Though the party touted the 12-page document as a “comprehensive education strategy”, the policy included only broad-based generic goals with no specifics on programmes or how they plan to implement any of the objectives.
The plan includes promises to “reduce unnecessary subjects and focus on essential skills”, implement “digital literacy, AI, and coding as core subjects”, “introduce interactive, digital learning tools”, and promises to “double teacher salaries”.

It also proposes introducing technical and vocational skills training institutes in each region of Guyana and ensuring “every teacher is licensed and certified”.
The plan also includes a promise of implementing smart classrooms.
However, it is under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government that smart classrooms were established in all regions across the country.
Meanwhile, it is also under the current Government that the intake at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) was increased from a maximum of 500 students to almost 2000 teachers per year, with a goal of achieving 100 per cent certified teachers in all public schools.
In the area of technical and vocational education over the past few years, the PPP/C Government has also been making major investments and progress. Between 2021 and mid 2025, the Education Ministry opened or refurbished at least five major technical/vocational training facilities, three refurbished, and two new PICs, covering a capacity of approximately 2000 students.
Facilities included the commissioning of the rebuilding of the North West Secondary School Practical Instruction Department in Region One (Barima-Waini); the refurbishing of the Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre in Region Three; the rehabilitation and expansion of the Beterverwagting Practical Instruction Centre in Region 4; the commissioning of the Hopetown Practical Instructional Centre in Region 5; and the building of the St Ignatius Practical Instruction Centre in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo). A new PIC in Bartica, Region Seven, was also recently commissioned.
The current Government has also placed heavy focus on developing digital literacy, with the launching of the Guyana Digital School earlier this year, Guyana’s first “digitally driven” school for primary and secondary education. Within its first week, approximately 2400 students, teachers, and parents had signed up to use it.