BUDGET 2024: New schools, millions for online scholarships in $135.2B education allocation
Some $135.2 billion has been budgeted for the education sector with the government opting to invest huge sums in the construction of new schools and the provision of online scholarships and training opportunities.
“The education sector is absolutely critical to the realisation of our national objectives,” Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh said during the presentation of the 2024 National Budget on Monday.
According to him, the government believes that many more education facilities are needed all across the country, particularly in hinterland areas.
With a $16 billion allocation, Dr. Singh said new secondary schools will be built at Aishalton, Christiansburg, Jawalla, Kopinang and Micobie.
Building a secondary school at Micobie, Region Eight, in particular, was a commitment of the government following the tragic Mahdia dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 20 children (19 girls and one boy) in May 2023.
Another $3.1 billion has been budgeted for new primary schools, while about $3 billion will go towards new nursery schools.
Dr. Singh also promised that rehabilitative works will be done at dormitories and living quarters across the country.
Outside of building new schools, the Finance Minister said the government will this year continue giving schools grants directly to teachers so they can purchase supplies for their classrooms. Teachers are to receive $3.1 billion this year.
Another $4.9 billion will go towards the national school feeding programme. This will allow children in hinterland communities to get hot meals, while all Grade Six pupils will get breakfast.
Additionally, more textbooks will be purchased this year through a $3 billion allocation.
Dr. Singh also noted that the government is keen on developing tertiary-level and technical skills in Guyana, allocating $4.1 billion to support the University of Guyana (UG), while $4 billion will go towards the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) to accommodate at least 6,000 new online scholarships this year.
This year, $2.3 billion will go towards supporting technical and vocational interventions.
