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This website will help you to obtain information about the range of services and supports available to learners at all levels of the education system and across the full range of key agencies within the system.
Over the last two decades, the education system in Guyana has undergone significant transformations in response to the emerging socio-cultural, economic and political needs of the society. These have necessitated shifts in the education philosophy and policy of Guyana. In the past a great deal of focus was on expanding access, first through universal compulsory education at the primary level, then on providing at least three additional years of secondary education. In more recent times greater attention has been paid to quality. Continuing the focus on improving literacy and numeracy at the basic level to ensure a good foundation for learners therefore remains important. This is in line with the recognition of the education sector’s contribution to both the material development of the country in the form of well-educated and trained human resources and the promotion of harmony, equity and respect among citizens of all races, economic groups, religions and gender.
The Ministry defines education as more than the instrumental activity for supporting greater national development or reducing poverty; even though it can contribute significantly to both of these objectives. It has intrinsic value. It is the main way to help each human being achieve his/her highest potential. It should be able to give the nation’s citizens the necessary knowledge, skills and values to lead happy and productive lives. On the basis of the education they receive, they should love their country and respect the diversity of its ethnic, religious and cultural traditions. They should adhere to the ideals and practice of democracy, justice, peace, diversity and accountability.
In addition, although children are, and should be, the main focus of educational efforts, rapidly changing economic circumstances and developments in technology require that the Ministry commit to a policy of providing continuing education and training opportunities to the adult population.
Although private schools will be encouraged to operate, the Ministry is committed to providing free and compulsory education from the pre-primary to secondary levels. The Ministry also remains committed to strengthening its partnerships with stakeholders, in particular teachers and their representative organizations, parents/guardians and communities.
The development of the 2008 - 2013 strategic plan was based on a participatory approach involving all stakeholders, including development partners, through a series of consultations to outline the challenges and impediments to education and to plan the way forward. The resulting strategy is the fourth in a series of education plans developed over the last two decades. It represents the priority policies and strategies that Guyana needs to pursue to make the country competitive in the global economy, as well as to realise its national development aspirations. It spells out clearly the vision and mission and provides philosophical rationales for the core values and the mandate of the Ministry of Education. It identifies and explains the major issues and constraints in the development of education and outlines the major strategic activities to be implemented to attain the desired policy objectives.
