President Dr. Irfaan Ali has declared a transformative leap in the education system across Guyana’s hinterland regions, highlighting a dramatic increase in trained teachers, expanded infrastructure, and enhanced access to learning resources.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 National Toshaos Council Conference, President Ali announced a 318% rise in the recruitment of trained teachers for hinterland communities since 2020. Today, 83% of teachers in Regions One, Seven, Eight, and Nine are fully trained, compared to less than 43% five years ago. The total number of hinterland teachers now stands at 2,435, with the majority coming from indigenous villages.
“This is your transformation to celebrate. We are happy as a government that we were able to facilitate such a massive transformation,†President Ali told indigenous leaders, framing the achievement as a shared success between government and local communities.
The government’s push for universal access to secondary education in the hinterland is also evident in the construction of 79 new schools in the past four years, with 27 schools renovated and 54 more currently under construction. Notably, 16 of the new schools are secondary institutions, supporting the drive to ensure every child in the hinterland can access quality secondary education.
Technology and connectivity have also seen marked improvements. Through low-earth orbit satellite technology, 158 hinterland schools are now connected to high-speed internet, enabling thousands of students to access the Guyana Learning Channel and digital educational resources. Additionally, 70% of hinterland schools now have their own libraries, fostering a strong reading culture among indigenous children.
President Ali emphasized that these investments are part of a broader commitment to the holistic development of indigenous communities. The government has also provided nearly 100 transport facilities to villages to improve school attendance and support students’ transition to secondary education.
The president reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to further increasing the number of trained teachers to 100% and continuing investments in education, infrastructure, technology, and student support. He also highlighted the importance of Amerindian participation in national cultural events and the upcoming Global Biodiversity Alliance, where indigenous leaders will have the opportunity to showcase their communities’ achievements on the world stage.
As Guyana enters what President Ali describes as one of the most transformative periods in its history, the strides made in hinterland education stand as a testament to the government’s vision of equity, opportunity, and sustainable development for all citizens.
