AFC releases its Education Policy 2.0

Promising to create a “future-ready” education system for Guyana, the Alliance For Change (AFC) released its education policy, ahead of the September 2025 General and Regional Elections.

The party’s education policy is divided into three phases, detailing the AFC’s short-term, mid-term, and long-term priorities.

In the first five years, that is, phase one, the party says it will:

• Establish the Guyana Skills Training Institute in each region to train students in technical and vocational skills. A stipend and start-up tools on completion will be offered to each student
• Establish smarter classrooms with interactive digital tools
• Reduce unnecessary subjects
• Invest in teachers through salary increases, and ensure that there are school psychologists and social workers

In the second phase, the AFC is proposing to double teachers’ salaries and ensure that each teacher is licensed and certified. The party is also promising to upgrade the University of Guyana, establishing a Centre for Ethnic Studies to embrace diversity. In this phase, the party wants to deliver an infrastructure overhaul, rolling out digital tools and e-learning for all schools.

In the third phase outlined, the AFC promises to update the curriculum every few years to “stay relevant.” It also promises to ensure that Guyana’s students are globally competitive and wants to develop a national policy for success, making Guyana a leader in education and innovation.

“This strategy aims to develop innovative thinking and adaptability among students, preparing them to thrive in a rapidly changing world influenced by technological advancements, climate change, and other unforeseen factors,” AFC leader Nigel Hughes said in a Facebook post outlining the policy.

Though the party has said many of these policies are innovative and forward-thinking, many of the proposals are already being implemented by the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C). Smart classrooms have been established, and the PPP government is forging ahead with the Guyana Digital School, replete with digital tools and e-learning avenues for all. There has been a concerted effort to promote technical and vocational studies, too.

By way of policy, the government has also been working to guarantee that all teachers are trained. At the announcement of the 2025 National Grade Six Assessment results, Education Minister Priya Manickchand said all teachers in the public education sector have either been trained or are in training. A multi-year salary increase agreement was also inked last year for teachers.

Beyond these ventures, tertiary education has been made free, and various cash grants are being provided to children. 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.