Minister of Public Service Sonia Parag Monday said she has discovered that for the past five years a particular demographic mostly benefited from government scholarships.
Minister Parag was speaking during a virtual press conference on Monday and said that scholarship and training will be the priority focus of the Ministry for the next five years.
“I will just say this that the system we have for vetting scholarships…is heavily flawed. That is what I have personally observed.
“If I may say it is skewed to one demographic and geographic in Guyana and that has been going on for the last five years,” the Minister said. The Minister did not specifically mention which geographic or demographic benefited from these scholarships.
But she said this system will soon be reviewed and plans will be put in have plans put in place to change to ensure that every Guyanese have equal opportunities.
Additionally, persons who have completed their scholarships for months now are still awaiting placement of jobs but the Minister said this will be dealt with.
“I am looking into placements for persons who would have been granted scholarships and would have returned from those scholarships – whether it be University of Guyana whether it be overseas,” the Minister said.
As it relates to persons who have being denied scholarships over the last few years, the Minister said this will also be reviewed by a case by case basis as there will be an increase in scholarships and training opportunities “to suit the needs of the public as is necessary.”
As of August 12, 120 students are on scholarship overseas in 14 countries and 563 persons are in Guyana at 10 institutions. The Minister assured that the government will continue to support students overseas and affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, the government is offering a limited number of Scholarships at the Bachelor’s Degree Level at the University of Guyana for the 2020/2021 academic year.
Click the link below for more information.
https://scholarships.dps.gov.gy/index.php/government-of-guyana-fully-funded-university-of-guyana-scholarships?fbclid=IwAR3jvsikWL6Nne3px7OVxttMS1NiwHxsaLnyq3WfsagOF252AF7-hgtVvNM
If any Government is duncy enough to ignore the other demographic groups they do so at their own peril. The Indigenous are going to take some effort to bring into the system as they are at a disadvantage geographically for schooling, scholarships and all else.
So far so good….Minister…..make sure you keep the idea going. Guyana for all!