The Government of Guyana today signed a US$44 million loan agreement with the World Bank as part of the Strengthening Human Capital through Education Project.
The Ministry of Education said that the project focuses on the expansion of access to quality education at the secondary level and improving technical and vocational training (TVET).
The agreement was signed in the Ministry of Finance’s boardroom by Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh and World Bank Resident Representative for Guyana and Suriname, Diletta Doretti.
In brief remarks, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand stated that the project aligns with the Education Ministry’s goals to improve and expand access to quality secondary education while simultaneously developing the country’s TVET sector.
“The Government of Guyana is very aware that this new Guyana has to be people centred. Each human being must develop along with the beautiful resources our land is benefiting from.”
Finance Minister, Dr Singh shared similar sentiments, the release said. He noted that the signing of the US$44m deal for the development of human capital is a significant part of a much broader and comprehensive policy agenda. He explained with the rapid transformational development taking place, there is a great need for human capital development.
Doretti highlighted that the funding aims to prepare citizens to excel in emerging sectors of the economy including climate-resilient agriculture, low-carbon technology, and digital development.
“Activities under the project are expected to benefit at least 60,744 students and 2,128 teachers and principals at the secondary level. At the TVET level, a minimum of 600 students and 140 secondary and post-secondary TVET trainers will benefit from professional development activities”, the release said.
The project will support the piloting and rollout of a new curriculum for Grades Seven to Nine and finance textbooks for Grades Seven to Eleven. It will also see the development of a new TVET sector policy for 2022-203o and bolster the delivery of TVET at secondary and post-secondary institutions, the release said.
