In a landmark move, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced the abolition of tuition fees not only for the University of Guyana but also for all government and technical institutions, including the Carnegie School of Home Economics and the Guyana School of Agriculture.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, marking a significant expansion of the government’s plan to make tertiary education more accessible to students nationwide.
President Ali, during a special address, revealed that the tuition fees at these institutions will be eliminated starting in January 2025.
This is part of a broader initiative aimed at making education free for all students in technical and vocational programs, in addition to university-level education.
“It would be recalled that I also announced the abolition of tuition fees at the University of Guyana with effect from the 1st of January 2025 in response to feedback received. The gratitude is overwhelming. Tuition fees will also be abolished at all government technical and vocational training institutions, including all of the technical institutes, the Guyana Industrial Training Center, the Carnegie School of Home Economics, and the Guyana School of Agriculture,” President Ali said.
This new measure is expected to benefit over 3,000 additional students, expanding the reach of the government’s free education initiative. The President emphasized that this move is part of a broader effort to provide equitable access to education for all Guyanese citizens.
The announcement builds on previous plans set by the government. In December 2023, President Ali had committed to making university education free in Guyana, outlining a phased approach that would begin in 2024.
The total cost of making university education free for approximately 11,000 students at the University of Guyana alone is estimated to be around $8 billion.
This initiative also marks the government’s step-by-step approach to abolishing tuition fees for students in various institutions, with the first phase having already been implemented.
Earlier this year, about $203.7 million in student loans were written off, benefiting 346 students—a move that had been seen as a precursor to making higher education completely free.
The move to include technical and vocational institutions under this free education initiative comes as the government seeks to broaden the scope of accessible education. I
nstitutions like the Guyana School of Agriculture and the Carnegie School of Home Economics play a vital role in the country’s economic development, particularly in fields like agriculture, home management, and technical skills.
By abolishing tuition fees at these institutions, the government aims to encourage more students to pursue careers in these sectors, which are crucial for the country’s growth. The President stated, “This measure will benefit in excess of 3,000 additional persons in our population.”
