“We’re not going to leave anybody by the wayside” – VP assures Staffordshire GOAL students

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to students enrolled in the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) Scholarship programme, assuring them that their education remains a top priority.
Addressing concerns over recent challenges with the Staffordshire University and ISDC partnership, Dr. Jagdeo declared, “We’re not going to leave anybody by the wayside.”
This assurance comes amid concerns raised about some challenges between Staffordshire University and ISDC, the United Kingdom-based educational facilitator responsible for delivering various degree programs to GOAL scholarship recipients.
A few days ago, GOAL Director Professor Jacob Opadeyi confirmed that efforts are in action to resolve the matter swiftly and ensure that students’ academic progress remains uninterrupted.
However, on Thursday during his weekly press conference, the Vice President was questioned about rumours mainly being spread by members of the ruling opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which alludes that monies set aside for the GOAL programme where not being utilised for its intended purpose.
Jagdeo has dismissed these claims and any notion that the GOAL programme provides substandard education.
“I have great faith in his (Professor Jacob Opadeyi) ability to ensure that our children, not just children, because you have some adults too, our people, they get a good quality education that’s not fake. He explained to us, and I think he put out a statement that there is some disagreement now between the university and the group, the contracting group.”
“ISDC is accredited to globally, if you go on their website. So today, he said he’s awaiting the completion of the meeting in London to know about the way forward. It’s not fake… But I want to assure the people, we’re not going to leave anybody by the wayside,” Jagdeo assured.
During a virtual town hall meeting on Monday, GOAL students were officially informed of the issue and assured that alternatives would be available should the dispute persist. Professor Opadeyi has requested two weeks to resolve the matter, and remains optimistic that a positive outcome will be reached soon.
According to the Vice President, government’s support extends beyond resolving this particular issue. In fact, government already has engagements with several universities, should students wish to switch programmes due to these developments.
“Nothing is fake. And he said also, it’s either they sort out the difference there, which could be sorted out, but if they can’t sort it out, he has two other universities in the United Kingdom that will accept the grade that people got. They already accredited them for work already done,” he added.
Since assuming office in August 2020, government has granted some 29,758 Guyanese citizens GOAL scholarships. Of that number, 5,980 individuals secured master’s degrees and PhDs.
In 2024, the Guyana government approved almost 8000 Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarships, representing the Administration’s continued efforts to ensure the country’s workforce and populace is better educated and skilled.