By Nakasia Logan | January 11, 2025
In a remarkable achievement, the government has awarded nearly 30,000 scholarships to Guyanese citizens through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) initiative, exceeding its initial pledge of 20,000 scholarships.
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, shared this milestone during a year-end press briefing, emphasizing the program’s success in making higher education more accessible to citizens across the country.
Since its inception, a total of 29,758 scholarships have been granted to Guyanese, enabling them to pursue degrees, master’s programs, doctoral studies, and postgraduate diplomas at foreign universities.
The GOAL initiative has been lauded for its inclusivity, with a notable gender breakdown: 21,436 of the scholarship recipients are women, and 8,322 are men.
Minister Manickchand highlighted how many women have balanced family responsibilities while pursuing higher education, preparing themselves for future workforce opportunities.
She also noted that men were able to continue working while upgrading their skills through the program.
The GOAL program is a partnership between the Ministries of Education and Public Service, aimed at empowering Guyanese citizens by providing opportunities for higher learning at no cost.
This initiative has helped to ensure that citizens from all regions, including remote areas, have access to education and career advancement, despite challenges such as limited internet access and devices.
This achievement marks a significant step toward fulfilling the government’s vision of expanding educational opportunities for all Guyanese, regardless of gender or location.