President Irfaan Ali has announced plans by the Government to wipe out the tuition requirement at the University of Guyana, making the country’s top tertiary education institution tuition free.
Addressing the Parliament today, the President said the initiative is expected to cost the government some $18B.
The plan to make University education free has been a campaign promise of the PPP/C government.
“Accordingly, starting from January 2025 semester, tuition fees will be completely abolished at the University of Guyana. This will continue the advancement of our human capital for a more prosperous future, for our country and for all our young people who will benefit from this initiative,” the President said.
The measure, is expected to benefit in excess of 11,000 current students at UG immediately and all the new students in the future.
The University of Guyana provided free education up until 1994, when charges were introduced under the PPP Civic Government and then President Dr. Cheddi Jagan.
The government earlier this year introduced a loan forgiveness programme for UG students with outstanding student loans with some 346 students.
By the end of this year, the President said the loan forgiveness programme could exceed $5B.
Meanwhile, the President said that the government continues to make tertiary education accessible. He urged persons to make use of opportunities under the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme, which he said has already benefitted thousands of persons throughout the country.
Additionally, the President said that government is pressing ahead to achieve universal secondary education and will be introducing a digital school that is expected to create innovative learning.
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