CDB funded TVET programme nears completion

CDB Workshop panel: From left are Patrick Chinedu, Assistant Chief Education Officer; Dr Idamay Denny, Portfolio Manager, Social Sector Division, CDB; and M Stephen Lawrence, Operations Officer, Social Sector Division, CDB.

Guyana is expected to see a decrease in unemployment with more students being able to access training in technical and vocational studies across the country.

With the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) Enhancement of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme nearing completion, Guyana is poised to see a reduction in 2% points in unemployment over the next 5 years, according to CDB Social Section Division Portfolio Manager Dr Idamay Denny.

The programme, geared towards improving the quality and effectiveness of TVET education in Guyana, cost some US$9.6 million, with 18% funding or US$7.5 million coming from the regional bank. The programme has been successful in building two new technical schools, equipped with state-of-the-art furnishings and training of over 125 instructors and 25 teachers. The programme was also able to provide equipment for the existing technical institutes and provide an overall upliftment of the educational sub-sector, with the adoption of a TVET strategic plan and regional standards for key occupational activities as well as the development of a teacher training programme, a competency framework, a TVET electronic database and a comprehensive maintenance plan for facilities.

The loan agreement, which dates back to December 2008, received its first disbursement on June 15, 2010, after it was signed on April 27, 2009 and the cconditions precedents met on May 20, 2010. The expected final (CDB) disbursement is scheduled for December 21, 2014, with the estimated actual completion coinciding with this date. The expected implementation period turned out to be 72 months, 40 months beyond the planned finish which was due to several factors, including government administrative delays and an additional 18