No GOAL student will be ‘left by the wayside’ – Jagdeo

Students who received scholarships through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) programme will be supported by the government, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said on Thursday.

The Vice President’s statement came days after the GOAL Director, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, noted there has been an issue between Staffordshire University and the ISDC, two organisations part of the scholarship venture.

Through GOAL, Guyanese can access several degree programmes offered by Staffordshire University through ISDC, which is a UK Education facilitator. However, the existing arrangement between the university and ISDC has faced some challenges.

Jagdeo said Professor Opadeyi and his team are engaging both parties so that the matter can be resolved for the students who are pursuing Staffordshire degrees. However, he committed the government’s support.

“I want to assure people that we will not leave anyone by the wayside,” he said.

Already, Professor Opadeyi and his GOAL team engaged officials from both institutions hoping to resolve the matter soon so that Guyanese scholarship awardees can continue learning comfortably. Some feedback is expected by Thursday and students should expect the issue to be resolved in about two weeks, according to the GOAL Director.

However, he clarified that the issue isn’t one that GOAL has control over. He provided letters to show that bona fide arrangements were in place for GOAL scholarship awardees.

Students were told of the issue on Monday during a virtual town hall meeting. Professor Opadeyi said alternatives are being instituted for students.

If students want to continue their studies under the ISDC/Staffordshire arrangement, he has asked for two weeks to resolve the issue. The GOAL Director is optimistic that both institutions will return to the existing arrangement.

If students wish to change programmes, however, they will be supported.