Significant transformation in education sector since 2020 – Ed Minister

–as $183.6B budget to drive more education gains

Education Minister Sonia Parag said the Government has made significant strides in transforming Guyana’s education sector since 2020, with investments in digital learning, infrastructure, teacher training and student welfare, while laying the groundwork for future skill development aligned with the plans for national growth.
Speaking during an interview with NCN last week, the Minister highlighted sustained budgetary support for education, noting that the 2026 allocation of $183.6 billion continues a trend of strong fiscal prioritisation.
Over the past five years, more than 100 schools were constructed or rehabilitated, expanding access to nursery, primary and secondary education nationwide. She said the Government is on track to achieve universal secondary education, with at least 18 new schools expected to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2026.
The Minister noted too that several social support systems were introduced or expanded, including the “Because We Care” cash grant, which increased to a sum of $50,000 per child, along with an additional $5000 given as a uniform grant. These measures, she said, had an immense impact on students’ attendance and parental engagement.
“You also saw the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant being restored and increased, and up to 2025, it was made $50,000 plus the $5000 for uniform, and it had a huge impact on parents, on students, [and] on attendance. You also had the resources being made available to students as well as teachers, [and] this is something else that parents were happy for.”
Minister Parag pointed out the current progression in teachers’ development, noting that all teachers are either trained or are currently in training. She highlighted that in 2025, 1345 teachers became fully trained. She also emphasised that tertiary education became free also, fulfilling a key Government commitment.
In terms of the digital transformation, the Minister said the launch of the Guyana Digital School in the first 100 days of the President’s new term was a major milestone. She added that the platform currently serves over 22,000 students from Guyana and across the Caribbean with online classes, recorded lessons and supplemental learning content. The official expressed her satisfaction with the improved access to education in the hinterland and rural communities, noting that new schools have reduced the travel distance for students and barriers to attendance.
“I’m speaking about us getting universal secondary access to education. I think we’re there, and I think with the commissioning of at least 18 new schools in the first quarter of 2026, we would be able to see that we are there at universal access to secondary education. So, it warms my heart because I know that there was a desire to attend school and to have an education by parents [and] by our beloved children.”
Beyond academics, the Government is expanding technical and vocational education through institutions such as the National Training Institute, the Hospitality Institute, and specialised training centres, including programmes linked to the oil and gas sector. These initiatives are aimed at equipping citizens with skills needed for Guyana’s long-term development.
She reflected on her previous roles in the Public Service and Local Government ministries, noting that her involvement in the Ministry of Education began long before she assumed the position of Education Minister in 2025. She recalled her collaboration with the Ministry on the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), which initially focused on tertiary-level scholarships and technical skills training, providing exit qualifications to give citizens a second chance at certification.
She said the Government’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic marked a critical turning point for the education sector. The Minister highlighted that the swift transition to online learning helped Guyana to avoid the levels of education loss experienced by other countries worldwide. The measures the Government took included worksheet and textbook distribution, phased face-to-face learning for the grade six students and expanded access to digital resources.
“This Government took bold steps and made bold decisions, and one of those decisions was to immediately transition to online learning, and I think that was so important, so critical at that time to ensure that we didn’t face the kind of learning loss that the rest of the world was facing, and I think we did an amazing job.”
Looking ahead, Parag said the Ministry will continue to strengthen partnerships with parents through Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), describing them as essential to accountability and student success. She also noted that the school meals programme has contributed to improved attendance and student welfare.