UG supports tuition-free education

As official plans are underway to make the University of Guyana (UG) tuition-free, the institution in a statement said it supports the agenda.

UG also addressed some concerns including the upcoming graduation ceremonies.

However, in a statement, the University noted that tuition fees usually cover a lot of the university’s operating expenses. As such, engagements are ongoing with the Government of Guyana to resolve any issues that appear to be arising now.

“Revenue from fees cover more than 50% of the University of Guyana’s operating expenses and are always desperately needed towards the end of the year. The University of Guyana therefore wishes to assure its stakeholders that all possible avenues are being pursued to ensure the operations and best interests of everyone, most importantly those of our 3500 prospective graduates are satisfied in the coming week.

“The goal is to ensure all eligible students graduate on time and that the University’s operations, which rely on fees, continue without disruption until the semester ends in January 2025,” UG stated.

Further, as it relates to the upcoming graduation ceremonies scheduled for November 7-9 and November 16, 2024, UG noted that no new decisions have been made.

The statement also addressed issues such as outstanding fees for graduates and current students.

“Recent developing conditions surrounding interpretations by students and others about free tuition have produced some conditions which must be addressed urgently. Some of these matters concerning implementation modalities and the paying over of fees owed by prospective graduates and continuing students to the University are being assiduously addressed by the appropriate offices of the University and the Government of Guyana,” the statement read.

For the past four years, UG added that in support of the anticipated free tuition, it has allowed many students to attend and complete their studies without fully paying fees.

“Therefore, there could be no routine reason why the graduations of students already planned would be withheld by the same University which has nurtured them for all this time,” the University said.

On October 10, President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced during a special address to the 12th Parliament of Guyana that starting January 2025, tuition fees will be completely abolished at UG.

This initiative is set to benefit about 11,000 current students and will cost about $8 billion.

In addition to the abolition of tuition fees at UG, President Ali on October 16, announced the abolition of tuition fees for all government and technical institutions, including the Carnegie School of Home Economics and the Guyana School of Agriculture.

The tuition fees at these institutions will also be eliminated starting in January 2025.