GUYANA-EDUCATION-Government says former students to benefit from debt write-off programme
October 18, 2024
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University of Guyana students
Georgetown, Guyana, October 18, 2024 – Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has announced that former University of Guyana (UG) students who have not signed up for a student loan, but owe the university, will be eligible for the debt write-off programme announced by the government.
"Once they owe the University of Guyana, then they are eligible for the write-off, too. They don’t have to have a loan at the bank or [at] the student agency. If you owe them, you’re eligible for the write-off," Jagdeo said at his weekly news conference.
Initiative benefits over 13,000 nationals
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh, announced the initiative, which the government said would benefit more than 13,000 nationals.
Tuition fees abolished at UG and technical institutions
Earlier this month, President Irfaan Ali, addressing a special sitting of the National Assembly, said that tuition fees would be abolished at the University of Guyana and all technical institutions.
Government commitment to resources
Jagdeo told reporters that the government has no intention of defunding or underfunding the tertiary institution, noting that "there will be a commitment, at a minimum, to supply resources beginning January 1 that are no less than what they have now." He added that the government would fully provide "all" of the resources and look at increasing the funding.
University to increase efforts to improve education delivery
However, Jagdeo said the university would need to increase efforts to improve education delivery. "We also need a management seized with [a] sense of urgency…the Council at UG has to push for better quality education and better use of the money…we have to get output for it. More efficiency and better-quality tuition for the [students] who go to UG," he said.
Ministry of Education to play greater role
Jagdeo hinted at the possibility of the Ministry of Education considering contracting foreign experts to support the institution’s quality improvement efforts. "I’m hoping the Ministry of Education would now play a greater role in quality, bringing in people from abroad," he said, adding that the government would provide several opportunities to Guyanese to ensure that the country has access to higher education.
Online programs to provide access to higher education
He said these opportunities would also include providing online programs like the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) program, which has already provided scholarships to more than 27,000 students to study at several international academic institutions.
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Conclusion
The government’s debt write-off programme is a step towards ensuring that former University of Guyana students who have not signed up for a student loan but owe the university can access the necessary funds to complete their education. The programme is expected to benefit over 13,000 nationals.
FAQs
- Who is eligible for the debt write-off programme?
- Former University of Guyana students who have not signed up for a student loan but owe the university.
- What is the requirement to participate in the programme?
- One must owe the University of Guyana.
- How many students are expected to benefit from the programme?
- Over 13,000 nationals.
- When does the programme start?
- The programme is expected to start on January 1.