This year’s national budget is not complete without the necessary investments being made towards improving the wellbeing of the entire population. Prior to last Friday’s reading of the budget in the National Assembly, it was being described as one that meets the needs of the Guyanese people while creating an environment where the aspirations of all are realised.
In this regard, the Gy$26.6 billion allocated to the education sector is both timely and unprecedented. The Gy$192.8 billion budget was presented by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh under the theme “Remaining on Course: United in Purpose- Prosperity for All”.
“One of the hallmarks of successive PPP/Civic government has been our steadfast commitment to investment in the social sector, reflecting our firm conviction that there is no investment more important than that made in our people,” he said.
Minister Singh emphasised that government recognises that education is a prerequisite to the successful development of a nation, and as such, the administration will continue to respond accordingly to the educational needs of Guyanese so as to improve their quality of life.
School feeding, uniform programmes
Over Gy$1 billion has been allocated towards the continued implementation of the National and Hinterland School Feeding Programmes, while the School Uniform Programme will continue; this reiterates the current administration’s commitment to improving attendance, participation rates, and attainment levels, by ensuring that every child has the basic necessities for school.
Improved student performance
Secondary students at their school’s computer laboratory
As significant progress is being made towards universal secondary education, programmes are being implemented in order to achieve better performances in Mathematics and English Language at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.
In this regard, 36 schools countrywide are being targeted as part of a pilot which will address key dimensions of education delivery, including working closely with teachers and allocating adequate resources.
Boosting teacher education
Minister Singh noted that in the current government’s manifesto, one of the key initiatives outlined relates to improving teacher quality by strengthening the institutions involved, and upgrading the training programmes offered.
Nursery children benefiting from government’s school feeding programme
“We are proud to note that the proportion of trained teachers has consistently been increasing over the last five years, moving from 58 per cent to 70 per cent at the primary level, and from 55 per cent to 64 per cent at the secondary level… as we strive to further improve these percentages, over Gy$ 1.2 billion has been allotted towards teacher training,” he emphasised.
That allocation includes the provision for operational expenditure of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) which is expected to produce 430 graduates from the associate degree in education programme in November 2012.
Continued ICT implementation
Minister Singh stressed that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) remains on the front burner as training of teachers, in this area is accelerating. It is hoped that by the end of 2012, 3500 teachers would complete ICT training.
Additionally, all secondary schools will be equipped with functioning ICT departments.
Furthermore, the ICT-based Success Maker programme will be installed in another 60 primary schools and teachers will be trained in the use of this software as a teaching and learning aid.
Augmenting tertiary education
The budget places significant importance on ensuring that the University of Guyana (UG) delivers quality education. This is another priority for this government, towards which over Gy$900 million has been allocated. Minister Singh pointed out that having completed the preparatory work for the US$ 10 million UG Science and Technology Project, Gy$80 million has been allocated under this project towards the commencement of curriculum reform, research support, and infrastructure rehabilitation. Moreover, another Gy$450 million has been budgeted for the student loan programme.
Inclusive education
This budget is evidence that no Guyanese, irrespective of abilities, is left out and this is explicable in that funds have been budgeted for the construction of an annex at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre which caters for 60 differently-able students and will be equipped with the essential sanitary facilities, furnishings and a computer room.
Additionally, the training facility will be rehabilitated so as to provide technical and vocational training to the students at the centre.
The government’s manifesto stated that special emphasis will be placed on ensuring that those who are differently-able are empowered to achieve personal fulfillment, thus making a contribution to society.
Improved learning environment
Minister Singh highlighted that government has always been keen on ensuring students dwell in conducive learning environments; as such Gy$3.3 billion has been allocated for the continued construction, extension, rehabilitation and maintenance of schools and other educational facilities countrywide.
This includes the construction of the Turkeyen Nursery School, the extension of the Parika Salem Secondary School, and Waramadong dormitory and teaching block. In addition, works are to be done on LBI, St Pius and Diamond primary schools, Leonora Secondary School and dormitories at Charity and Sand Creek secondary schools. Also, science and information technology laboratories are expected to be completed.
2011 achievements
The finance minister highlighted that the administration recognises that education is critical towards developing a well trained and highly skilled workforce to meet the needs of the modern economy as such, over Gy$24 billion was expended to the sector in 2011, representing an increase of 13 per cent in expenditure from 2010.
He underscored a number of key achievements gained by the education sector during the third year of implementation of the National Education Strategic Plan 2008-2013, including more than Gy$47 million expended for the establishment of the education channel which broadcasts programmes that supplement the education curriculum for all students countrywide.
Over Gy$ 1billion was spent on operational costs at CPCE which offers the associate degree in education; another Gy$ 768 million was spent on the operational costs of UG’s two campuses; and Gy$450 million on student loans.
Additionally, government spent over Gy$ 1billion on the National and Hinterland School Feeding Programmes which benefited over 63,000 children countrywide, while another Gy$ 266 million was expended on ensuring each child has a school uniform.
Over Gy$ 1.8 billion was spent on technical vocational training institutes, including the completion of the two new vocational centres in Regions Three and Five, while Gy$ 2.8 billion was spent on construction, extension, rehabilitation and maintenance of schools, and other educational facilities countrywide.
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