The Government has approved almost 8000 Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarships for this year representing the Administration’s continued efforts to ensure the country’s workforce and populace is better educated and skilled.
In a statement on Saturday, the Finance Ministry announced that it would be distributing 7782 scholarships for 2023 and the recipients will be informed in the new week.
Already, the Government has surpassed its manifesto promise of providing 20,000 online scholarships. As of the end of 2023, 21,500 GOAL scholarships have been distributed. Just two weeks ago, a second batch of students numbering 1712 graduated.
These students completed their studies in various disciplines, including master’s and degree programmes. Graduates were drawn from all over Guyana, including the coast, hinterland, and other remote regions.
Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh had said recently that the Government was creating an environment where everyone could explore the opportunities being created, to ensure Guyana could continue to rapidly develop.
“What GOAL does is that it still gives them (Guyanese) the option to pursue higher technical and tertiary education were they so to desire using the online modality of delivery. It also offers a wider range of training options,” Dr Singh had explained, adding that the Government is creating an environment where everyone could explore several opportunities that are being created so that the country could continue its rapid development.
GOAL awardees at their recent graduation
Expounding further on the purpose of the GOAL scholarships, Dr Singh had explained that these are all elements of human capital development and improving the skills of the Guyanese workforce and population, to have a better skilled and qualified labour force as well as to have a more fulfilled population.
The GOAL scholarship programme was launched in 2021 to offer Guyanese an opportunity to advance their education through the online and distance learning (ODL) mode. The sum of $1.8 billion in budgetary provision was made available to the Public Service Ministry for the programme last year, given the Government’s commitment to the educational advancement of citizens.
With regard to Internet connectivity and computer devices, resources were provided to ensure that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hubs in several regions were functional.
As a result, from 2021 to 2023, a total of 21,442 persons benefited from GOAL scholarships, and this saw Guyanese attaining certificates, diplomas as well as bachelor’s, post-graduate, master’s, and doctorate degrees in various courses.
Meanwhile, 15 persons in Region One (Barima-Waini) were awarded Government scholarships, 34 were awarded to persons in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and 56 persons residing in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) received a government scholarship in 2023.
Additionally, 142 Guyanese from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) received scholarships, 23 from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 42 from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and 19 from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
Government has been implementing a number of additional initiatives as it continues to invest in education throughout the country. It was only in March this year as well that the administration launched the “Guyana-Coursera Platform” initiative which will see approximately 50,000 persons benefiting from training in a number of areas across various Ministries countrywide as part of Government’s expansive national training initiative.
The administration has also been using a multi-pronged approach in its education investment initiatives, including through the disbursement of cash and uniform grants to schoolchildren each year, with the 2024 grant to be disbursed shortly to students; cash grants to teachers each term to purchase classroom supplies; and the construction of new schools as well as the rehabilitation of several others across the country.
Additionally, Government recently commenced its Student Loan Writ- Off Programme to potentially benefit over 13,000 Guyanese who have $11 billion in student loan debt. The Administration has also reiterated its commitment to improving education delivery with a total budget of $135.2 billion.
