By Delicia Janneire
September 27, 2024
Vice President and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, announced that up to $5 billion in student loans are set to be written off by the end of the year.
He encouraged students with outstanding loans to take advantage of this opportunity, as the only criterion for eligibility is being present in Guyana.
In a recent press briefing, Dr. Jagdeo explained that 203 million dollars have already been cleared, benefiting over 340 students.
The government anticipates that another 2,900 students will have their loans written off before the year ends, potentially totaling $5 billion in debt clearance.
He emphasized that if more students apply, the government is ready to write off the entire $18 billion in loans.
Dr. Jagdeo highlighted the government’s commitment to its 2020 manifesto, which promised free tertiary education for Guyanese at the University of Guyana (UG).
In addition to debt clearance, the government has also invested 1.6 billion dollars into the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme, which provides free tertiary education for eligible students.
“There is no age restriction in the GOAL programme. Once you’re accepted, the government covers your entire scholarship,” Dr. Jagdeo explained.
He added that remedial programmes are available for those who are not yet eligible for degree or technical courses, allowing them to gain qualifications for higher education.
The move to write off student debt began this year, aiming to make education more accessible and to fulfill the government’s vision of free tertiary education.
For more information on student loan forgiveness and the GOAL scholarship programme, interested students are encouraged to visit the Ministry of Education’s website.