Georgetown, Guyana (April 10, 2025)—HisExcellency, President Dr Irfaan Ali, today announced that the Government will cover the cost of up to eight subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) for students in both public and private schools.
An estimated $700 million will be expended on the initiative, which President Ali described as a futuristic investment in the lives of families and communities.
The announcement was made at a community meeting at the West Demerara School on Wednesday. “We are investing in the lives of your children, in the lives of your families, in the lives of your communities… and in building a prosperous, unified future for every single citizen,” the President posited.
The measure, which will take effect this year, will result in additional savings for parents in the country. This new initiative will see an estimated $48,000 allocated to each student.
Since returning to office in 2020, the Ali Administration has focused heavily on education, from nursery to the tertiary level. The Government not only returned the Because We Care Grant, which was reintroduced in 2021 at $15,000 per child, along with a $4,000 uniform allowance, but also dramatically increased it over the last few years.
When parents collect this year, they will receive $50,000 per child, along with a $5,000 uniform allowance. This is in addition to the breakfast programme and the supply of textbooks, among other major initiatives.
From January 2025, the Government also waived the fee for the University of Guyana, while tens of thousands of Guyanese have benefitted from scholarships provided by the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL).
The President has consistently spoken about advancing education in Guyana and creating a vibrant human resource base to meet the needs of a rapidly developing country. At the meeting on Wednesday, he asserted his Government’s vision of transforming all aspects of life in Guyana.
“We are after results… The Government that we lead and the Government that we will lead in the future is not afraid of marking itself against ambitious targets,” he said, as he highlighted significant accomplishments in housing, agriculture, social welfare, governance, infrastructure, and health.
Inclusivity
The President acknowledged the Government’s delivery on many manifesto promises and announced plans for new investments to further the vision of “oneness and prosperity” by creating opportunities for all citizens.
He emphasised that the Government’s holistic approach to development also focuses on ensuring social and individual empowerment through technological investments, developing co-investment opportunities for citizens, and creating pathways for youths to explore and develop their potential.
The President also highlighted plans to invest in emerging technical fields, create opportunities for youths and single mothers, and ensure the wellbeing of all Guyanese. He noted that while the Government is making investments to achieve such outcomes, citizens must also support the vision by creating environments that foster family interactions, good mental health, and personal growth.Such an environment, the President noted, will promote inclusivity, giving every citizen the opportunity to prosper.
Transformational shift
Touching on the opportunities at Wales Development, the President noted that it will be a transformational shift from economic stagnation to an economic powerhouse. He noted that projects such as the Gas-to-Energy Plant, the Wales Industrial Site, the opening of the New Demerara Harbour Bridge, and the construction of new roads will provide enormous opportunities for all citizens to benefit.
President Ali also discussed upgraded waterfront developments that will be complemented by recreational and commercial activities, offering families and individuals a better quality of life.
He noted that with the development of these sectors, thousands of jobs will be created, offering citizens an expanded portfolio of career paths.
