Dear Editor,
Quite recently Guyana has once again been associated with notoriety by virtue of an article by Andrea Fernandes and subsequent articles in the little known online paper: Guyana Guardian, whose ‘Editor in Chief’ is Dennis Adonis. The articles referred to were widely circulated and sought to discredit Texila American University and besmirch the name of the National Accreditation Council of Guyana, which is the legally authorized body responsible for regulating post-secondary and tertiary level educational institutions in Guyana, including the granting of registration, accreditation and related instruments.
In the prevailing circumstance the Ministry of Education would be remiss if it did not lend clarity in relation to the post-secondary and tertiary education landscape, which is being put at risk by the these crafty and defamatory articles. The ministry firstly wishes to reiterate that the National Accreditation Council (NAC) by virtue of the National Accreditation Act, Act No 12 of 2004 is the body responsible for regulating post-secondary and tertiary level education in Guyana and is the source of authentic information on post-secondary and tertiary institutions in Guyana. Much of this information is public and available on the council`s website: www.nac.gov.gy.
The ministry has observed that in the Guyana Guardian articles there are quantum leaps from factual information, which they rely on for legitimacy, and the conclusions which they draw that are oft times erroneous. One such case in point is their article of Nov 25, 2016, in which they purported NAC to “have revealed that medical degrees issued by institutions in Guyana are only recognized if the degrees are accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP).
“And since CAAM-HP has also confirmed that the Texila America University is not accredited, it is now officially confirmed that the medical degrees issued by that institution along with several other offshore universities in Guyana are not recognized anywhere at all”
While NAC has stated that “Medical institutions … are required to seek accreditation from the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Services”, it also stated that “The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) of the USA recognizes the authenticity of the quality assurance process of the National Accreditation Council and accepts medical schools that are registered by the National Accreditation Council”. NAC further stated that “Texila American University is listed with the ECFMG which allows students and graduates of the institution to apply for ECFMG certification and the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
This is but a sample of the Guardian’s conclusions. It is erroneous, at least, and may well be mischievous if their intellect and competence are to be assumed.
It should be noted that in quality assurance parlance, terms such as registration, accreditation, recognition et al have each a specific meaning, result from different processes, and signify different statuses. The Guardian seems to unwittingly or intentionally substitute these terms, one for the other, in pursuit of the predetermined plot of their articles.
While the Ministry of Education does not hold a brief for the off-shore medical schools and even NAC, in the national interest and in the interest of the reputation of the country, the ministry found it necessary through this one example to expose the injurious and defamatory nature of the Guardian articles. Many of their conclusions are founded on illogicalities and characterised by quantum leaps. Whether intentional or not, they bring the education sector and the country into disrepute and must be exposed and refuted at all costs, hence the ministry’s foray and exposé.
Yours faithfully,
Vincent Alexander
Technical Facilitator
Ministry of Education
