BUDGET 2019: $52.2B for Education sector

Government plans to invest a further $52.2 billion in the education sector, in 2019, a 15.6 percent increase over the 2018 allocation.

The sum will address disparities in the education sector such as bridging the gap between coastal and hinterland education delivery; eliminating the shortage of books in the classroom for effective learning; and monitoring sector achievements. In 2019, $5.4 billion is allocated for the construction, rehabilitation, extension and maintenance of educational facilities across the country.

The University of Guyana (UG), in 2019, will receive a subvention of $3.1 billion. Of this amount, $508 million is earmarked for upgrading of facilities at both campuses, while $2.6 billion is associated with operational expenditure.

The use of smart classrooms will be expanded throughout the country, with Santa Rosa and Paramakatoi Secondary Schools being among the priority schools for 2019.

Providing and upgrading IT labs in primary schools will continue, targeting schools in Region 6 and Georgetown. Additionally, there will be upgrades and provision for new science laboratories at La Bonne Intention and Plaisance Secondary Schools, as part of the Ministry of Education‘s emphasis on STEAM.

Programmes to reduce bullying and violence, as well as other social problems in schools, will be expanded to ensure regular school attendance.

The school feeding programme across the country will be expanded, with an additional 9,545 students expected to benefit.