Guyana has received a grant from Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to the tune of US$1.7 million to improve the Early Childhood Education Programme in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and remote riverine communities over a three-year period.
Education Minister Nicolette Henry meets with several stakeholders to review education plan
The contribution came after the independent consultancy group tasked with evaluation and strengthening national education systems concluded their Guyana Country Mission.
During their engagement with Education Minister Nicolette Henry, the consultants heaped praises on Guyana for its use of the grant received. Though small by world standards, it was dubbed as “impactful” to improve early childhood development particularly, for communities out of Georgetown.
Furthermore, the project has been effective through the delivery of resource learning kits which have been deemed as “impressive and impactful”.
Minister Henry in expressing gratitude spoke of Government’s emphasis on the importance of the gains and the sustainability of such interventions. The sustainability is already in progress as this year’s budget has made provision for kits to be made available to schools on the coastland.
The Education Minister also noted that multi-stakeholder engagements are community-based with a partnership approach via initiatives such as town hall meetings with parents and local partners which have been very useful.
“We (Government) are looking at reviewing the education sector plan for the year towards 2019 when the information collected would inform the forward thrust of the education sector. We are also engaged and continue to interface with key sectors that don’t always have to be a formal setting to address the needs of all Guyanese to gather relevant information to inform decision-making.”
The Minister was informed that the GPE also offers grants to fund consultations which could be tapped into, to which Minister Henry expressed elation that the team has engaged the senior officers and other stakeholders. I believe that it will be beneficial to aid the process of Education advancement from the coast to the Hinterland.
Prior to the Minister’s debriefing, a team of education officials, including Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson and the Chief of the Planning Unit Evelyn Hamilton were part of a summative evaluation of Global Partnership for Education’s (GPE) contribution to strengthening national education systems.
The mission in Guyana was conducted from April 9-18, 2018.
The purpose of the evaluation is not intended to assess whether Guyana has achieved the outcomes outlined in the 2014-2018 Education Sector plan (ESP). It is aimed at determining the extent to which GPE support has been relevant, effective and efficient in helping to strengthen Guyana’s Education sector.
The meeting focused on key messages that emerged from the interviews conducted during the team’s visit. These interviews are only one part of the team’s data collection. These are being completed by a systematic review of relevant documents, sector data and literature.
Stakeholders engaged included officials from the Education Ministry, the Finance Ministry, and the Teaching Service Commission, development partners, civil society and the Private Sector.
