“We want our children to do better” – Edghill highlights major investments in education

Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill during his visit to One Mile Nursery and Primary Schools in Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) reaffirmed government’s commitment to education as a fundamental pillar of Guyana’s development strategy.
Overseeing the distribution of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grants, Minister Edghill emphasised the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration’s track record of delivering on promises and prioritising the future of Guyana’s children.
Reflecting on the history of the cash grant initiative, Edghill noted its initial rollout in 2014 with $10,000 per child during the Donald Ramotar presidency, a time before Guyana’s oil wealth.
Despite financial constraints, the PPP/C government implemented the programme to ease the burden on parents and facilitate better educational outcomes.
However, the grant was discontinued after the PPP/C left office in 2015, only to be reinstated and significantly expanded after their return to government in 2020.
This year, every child—whether attending a public or private school—is receiving $55,000 in assistance, comprising a $50,000 cash grant and a $5,000 uniform allowance.
Edghill drew a sharp contrast between the PPP/C’s approach and that of the previous administration, which cited a lack of “fiscal space” for failing to continue the programme, noting that the government has spared no effort to ensure that every child receives the best education.
“We are delivering what we promised,” Edghill declared, adding that over 983 children at One Mile Primary alone are benefiting from this initiative… “We have spared no effort to ensure that our children and our country receive the best education whatsoever. We have spared no effort, and if there is a success that we could talk about, [it] is our success in education, and I haven’t gone to health as yet”.
“When we gather here to launch in Region 10 the Because We Care Cash Grant, it’s not another just come and collect your money, them sharing money and you’re gone. It must also be an understanding that will lead to appreciation that you have had a government that has worked for you, that has worked in your interest and a government that has partnered with you to improve the lives of your children, our young people; and is still doing to ensure that we have a better society,” Edghill said.
The minister highlighted the government’s broader educational agenda: construction of 75 plus new educational facilities, free university education, and the expansion of teacher training through online platforms. Notably, the government’s Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme—initially targeting 20,000 scholarships—has already surpassed 30,000 recipients, including many in region 10 who are now pursuing degrees, master’s, and even PhDs.
“We are creating pathways for upward mobility and ensuring qualified teachers are in every classroom—even in the most remote parts of Guyana,” he said. The online teacher training model has eliminated geographic and economic barriers, enabling teachers in hinterland and riverine communities to become certified while continuing to teach.
He closed by urging parents and students not to miss the opportunities now available, reminding them that free university education, vocational training, and support for entrepreneurship are in place to ensure Guyanese—not foreigners—benefit from the country’s economic boom.
“This is not about giving away money,” Edghill emphasized. “This is about investing in the future of Guyana—your children—and giving them the tools to build a better tomorrow.”