Government is examining ways to reduce the cost of bandwidth for students who are currently pursuing education under the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.
The VP was at the time addressing hundreds of awardees at the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School auditorium at Cotton Field, Region Two. He noted that the distribution of the scholarships is a manifesto promise that was made by his party.
He added that the government intends to distribute over 20,000 scholarships within a 5-year period, and already over 6,000 persons are currently pursuing an education under the GOAL programme. Over 500 persons in Region Two have so far been accepted into the programme. Jagdeo reminded that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic had promised to provide free university education and the GOAL scholarship is a way of providing tertiary education within the confines of participants’ homes.
During the meeting, persons complained of poor internet connectivity and lack of devices to pursue their courses. Participants living in the riverain communities in the Upper and Lower Pomeroon River explained that they have to use mobile data to conduct classes and many lamented that due to the lack of internet in some areas, they were forced to travel long distances to access this service. Quite a number of them disclosed that they had “almost given up” due to the lack of internet. In response the VP said that the government will be speaking with internet service providers to examine ways of reducing the cost of the internet while noting that special arrangements will be made for riverain communities in the region. He also said that government has recognised some of the obstacles in the programme and as such will be working with GOAL to improve the services offered.
Participants also called for the list of examination centres and a central area within the Region where they could visit to access the internet.
Meanwhile, Director of GOAL, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, said the programme has expanded since it started and many persons in Essequibo are benefitting. He pointed out that remedial programmes are available through GOAL scholarships and that centres have been established to ensure that participants have access.
Also present at the meeting was E-Networks Customer Experience Manager, Ved Kumar who said that the company is working to ensure that there is an expansion of internet service in the region.
More employment
Jagdeo also disclosed that there will be part-time employment available to persons in Guyana under an employment scheme. The aim of the part-time job scheme, he said, is to ensure that persons receive an income.
“In the coming weeks you will see an advertisement for part-time job for over 800 persons in this region; this is employment generation, at least one person per family will benefit.” He added that the part-time jobs will assist in the rise of the cost of living and persons would be employed in various sectors.
Accompanying Jagdeo were Minister of Regional Development with Parliamentary responsibilities for Region Two, Nigel Dharamlall; Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and Minister within the Ministry of Housing & Water, Susan Rodrigues.
