New hostel, increased support for hinterland students in Budget 2026

Budget 2026 includes major initiatives aimed at strengthening support for Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples, including funding for a new Amerindian Hostel and expanded assistance for hinterland students, according to Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Browne.

Among the key measures is a significant increase in the pocket allowance under the Hinterland Scholarship Programme. Minister Browne said the allowance will rise from $4,000 to $10,000 per student, easing the financial burden on students pursuing secondary and tertiary education away from their home communities.

Through the programme, hundreds of students from hinterland communities receive scholarships each year. In addition to the allowance, beneficiaries are provided with meals, transportation, and accommodation. Browne said $133.8 million has been allocated in Budget 2026 to support students under the initiative.

The minister also confirmed that $500 million has been set aside to begin construction of a new Amerindian Hostel, responding to long-standing concerns about the condition and capacity of the existing facility.

While acknowledging those concerns, Browne explained that the current hostel—housed in a decades-old building—has simply outgrown its capacity. In 2025 alone, more than 12,175 people passed through the facility, including stranded patients, vulnerable individuals, and persons seeking urgent medical care.

“This is why the government is serious about constructing a new hostel,” Browne said, noting that the facility plays a critical role in supporting Indigenous peoples who travel to Georgetown for education, healthcare, and other essential services.

Minister Browne made the remarks during the Budget Debate on Tuesday, where she also highlighted a range of initiatives implemented by successive People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) governments to support the rights, livelihoods, and development of Guyana’s first peoples. These include land titling programmes, Presidential grants, and community development projects across hinterland regions.