Sweeping education reform, AI-powered learning on cards for next term of PPP gov’t

People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo announced that if reelected, the party will continue its heavy focus on transforming education and roll out new ventures like individualised learning plans backed by artificial intelligence (AI).

“Because with AI…you can have a personalised programme for every single child in primary and secondary schools that will cater for their strengths and weaknesses… this is an exciting thing for the future,” Jagdeo said during his Thursday press conference.

He also noted that the PPP plans to expand financial support for schoolchildren and make the necessary investments to ensure that Guyana has universal secondary education.

“We’ve already made university education free and other tertiary education free, we’re paying for the exams, we’re now going to assist with transportation for children through a grant in the next term so that we can remove the burden from the parents so they can get to school,” Jagdeo, who is also Guyana’s Vice President, noted too.

The government already covers exam fees for children writing up to eight subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) levels. It has also removed tuition at the University of Guyana, benefiting thousands.

Public investments in the education sector soared from $53 billion in 2020 to $185 billion in 2025.

This year alone, an impressive $36.2 billion was allocated for the construction and rehabilitation of educational facilities across the country. This allocation facilitates major enhancement works on nursery, primary, and secondary schools countrywide, contributing 20,000 additional spaces for students.

The Ministry has also invested heavily in developing smart classrooms in schools across Guyana, while placing renewed focus on technical and vocational education.

The children’s ‘Because we Care’ cash grant and uniform allowance – totaling $55,000 per child – was also reintroduced after it was discontinued by the former APNU+AFC government.

Additionally, the Education Ministry has expanded its national school feeding programme through which close to 90,000 students – particularly those from hinterland regions – receive breakfast and hot meals with a beverage.