The education sector in Guyana has faced significant challenges in recent years, with the dropout crisis emerging as a critical issue during the APNU+AFC coalition government’s tenure from 2015 to 2020. As the current PPP/C administration works to address these shortcomings, a closer look at the failures of past policies and the new initiatives being implemented reveals a stark contrast in approaches to education.

The Legacy of APNU+AFC’s Education Policies

During the APNU+AFC’s time in office, the education system struggled with several key issues:

• High dropout rates: Only about 42% of students completed the final grade in primary-top schools, while just half of the students in general secondary schools finished their education.
• Poor examination performance: At the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), approximately 50% of students failed to pass. Similar results were seen at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level.
• Untrained teachers: A quarter of teachers in Guyana’s education system lacked proper training, contributing to the overall decline in education quality.
• Ineffective resource allocation: Despite increasing budgets, there was little improvement in student performance metrics.

The Current Government’s Approach

Since taking office in 2020, the PPP/C government has initiated several measures to address the dropout crisis and improve the overall quality of education:

1. Education Sector Plan (ESP) 2021-2025: This comprehensive strategy aims to tackle the systemic issues in Guyana’s education system, including dropout rates and teacher training.
2. Increased budget allocation: The government has significantly increased funding for education, with a focus on targeted interventions rather than simply throwing money at the problem.
3. Teacher training initiatives: Efforts are underway to reduce the number of untrained teachers through accelerated training programs and improved recruitment strategies.
4. Curriculum reform: The Ministry of Education is working on updating and modernizing the curriculum to make it more relevant and engaging for students.
5. Infrastructure development: Investments in school facilities and technology aim to create better learning environments and reduce barriers to attendance.
6. Early intervention programs: The government is implementing programs to identify and support at-risk students from an early age, preventing dropouts before they occur.
7. Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL): This innovative program provides access to tertiary education, potentially addressing issues of relevance and motivation in secondary education.

Challenges and Future Outlook

While the current government’s initiatives show promise, significant challenges remain. The World Bank has noted that Guyana’s students receive 12 years of schooling but only achieve learning equivalent to 6.7 years in top-performing education systems. Addressing this quality gap will be crucial for long-term success.

Moreover, the high migration rate of university graduates poses a challenge to retaining skilled individuals within the country. The government’s push for free university education by 2025 aims to address this, though some experts argue that programs like GOAL may be more effective.

As Guyana continues its rapid economic growth, particularly in the oil and gas sector, aligning education policies with future workforce needs will be essential. The success of the current government’s efforts will largely depend on their ability to implement and sustain these initiatives over time, adapting to the changing needs of students and the economy.

In conclusion, while the APNU+AFC’s education policies left much to be desired, the current administration’s multifaceted approach to addressing the dropout crisis and improving overall education quality shows promise. However, only time will tell if these efforts will be sufficient to overcome the deep-seated challenges facing Guyana’s education system.