APNU criticises PPP/C for opening new secondary schools despite benefits to children

President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Coretta McDonald, who is also a candidate on A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) list to contest the September 1, General and Regional Elections, has criticised the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for the strides it has made in constructing new secondary schools in the country.

Since 2020, Government has injected almost $600 billion into Guyana’s education sector. In fact, under the PPP/C, Govt has built and/or is in the process of completing 44 secondary schools countrywide.
Currently, forty-two secondary schools are being built nationwide, of which 24 are located in the hinterland regions.
From September 2023 up to mid-2025, the Ministry of Education commissioned six new or significantly reconstructed secondary schools nationwide.
These include, De Willem Secondary, Yarrowkabra Secondary, Northwest Secondary (Mabaruma) Secondary which was rebuilt after the 2021 fire, Katoka Secondary, Yupukari Secondary and Brickdam Secondary. Additionally, a Wiruni Secondary- a new school, is expected to be opened for the new school term.
This is apart from the six new primary schools commissioned between 2020 and 2025, a period which saw over 25 primary schools being upgraded.
Nevertheless, McDonald, addressing a rally hosted by APNU in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Saturday said the PPP/C has destroyed education. She claimed that the Five Bs initiative under the Granger administration was the best.
It aimed at providing boats, buses, bicycles, breakfast and books to school children.
“We are the only set of people with a plan,” McDonald claimed at the rally, as she criticised the beneficial initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Education under the Irfaan Ali-led administration.
Over the past five years, under the administration of President Irfaan Ali, Guyana has recorded significant progress in the education sector. Key initiatives include the “Because We Care” cash grants and uniform allowances; tax relief for parents; nationwide school feeding and breakfast programmes; the expansion of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in education through smart classrooms; and the provision of free textbooks, calculators, and examination materials for all students.
Additionally, the Government now covers the cost of Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) fees; has expanded teacher training through the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE); introduced Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) programmes in secondary schools; established new Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) facilities; and launched the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme. An Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enhanced digital school initiative is also slated for rollout in the near future.
There is also community school bus support and planned transport grants for students.
Over the past five years, the Because We Care Cash Grant and Uniform Allowance were reinstated and significantly expanded after being cut under the previous APNU-led Administration.
Originally valued at $15,000 cash and $4,000 uniform support in 2021, this was increased to $40,000 cash plus $5,000 uniform voucher per child annually, benefiting over 205,000 students in public and private schools.
Additionally, from this year, parents can claim $10,000 monthly tax deduction per child—aggregating to $120,000 annually—deepening financial relief for approximately 205,000 families. However, addressing the rally of Saturday, McDonald outlined that what the party has planned should it be returned to office, would be better that their own five Bs initiative. “Those who are in technical institutes and other learning institutes like the University of Guyana (UG), they will get $50,000 for going to school. We children will not only have access to free transportation to go to school, but they will be entitled to $120,000,” she exhorted.
“They have made the secondary schools,” she continued, referring to the current PPP/C Administration, “they have made them secondary schools. Under our time, we had the multilateral schools. We had the community high schools where our children were taught a skill if they were not academically there. But all we want to do is to ensure that our children are not left behind.”
Currently, the Ministry of Education under the PPP/C has introduced TVET as part of the curriculum in secondary schools.
The current GTU President made her remarks after a former President of the GTU, Dr Mark Lyte, had said that in his more than 30 years as an educator he has never seen so much development in the education sector as he has experienced over the past five years. Lyte also warned of the dangers of putting the education system in the hands of persons who cannot be trusted and who do not understand progress.
“Right now, there are all kinds of plans being rolled out without any proper consideration. Everybody is talking about what they will give and how they will give that and what they will give. We have to think about giving with a sustainable plan. And that is what this present administration has done. They have not only provided for the nation’s people, they have done what they thought can be sustainable,” Dr Lyte pointed out.