Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag and a team from Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) on Friday held three outreaches in Region Six where residents were advised on applying for government scholarships through its online programme.
A total of 20,000 scholarships are to be awarded over five years with 4,500 to be assigned this year.
Parag, who delivered brief remarks at the opening of the outreaches held in New Amsterdam, Rose Hall Town and Number 63 Village, Corentyne, stated that the PPP/C government has always prioritized education and as such in their manifesto they had a plan for such an initiative. “… an initiative not only to attain a higher education but to do so in a modern society, and what they crafted and brought is to engage with universities to engage with our Guyanese nationally to be able to realize their dreams of attaining a tertiary education.”
Parag said that the government took note of the importance of rolling out the scholarship programme immediately and as such included finance in its 2021 budget to accommodate the granting of the scholarships.
She also stressed that the scholarships are an effort to ensure any person above the age of 18 years can access tertiary education. “You will not be bonded to the government, you will be doing community service for a very short period of time, in that way you will be giving back your skillset to the country”, she said.
She added that it is the government’s vision that persons throughout Guy-ana from all walks of life can have tertiary education as an option if they so desire.
She pointed out that there are also programmes available for persons who did not have an opportunity to complete or excel at the CXC exams.
Parag added that the government is cognizant of the fact that in some areas internet connections are not easily accessible. As such she said they are working to put systems in place so as to ensure persons in those area can access and benefit from the scholarships.
Over 50 persons gathered at each location in Region Six and Parag noted that similar outreaches will be held countrywide.
