𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐮𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐚- Min Parag

October 31, 2025 — Minister of Education, Sonia Parag, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to educational equity, sustainable development, and global partnership as she addressed the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference on Friday in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Minister Parag told the international gathering that Guyana’s model of development is grounded in human capital investment, noting that the country’s ongoing economic expansion is being matched by unprecedented investments in education and social upliftment.

“Guyana’s prosperity is not defined solely by economic output, but by the opportunities we create for every citizen,” Minister Parag emphasized, as she outlined Guyana’s ongoing efforts to close educational gaps and reverse global learning setbacks caused by inequality and limited access.

Highlighting Guyana’s landmark initiatives in the education sector, Minister Parag cited the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), which has awarded nearly 40,000 scholarships to citizens, including those in remote hinterland communities. She also pointed to over GYD$36 billion invested in school construction and rehabilitation, providing classroom space for an additional 20,000 students nationwide—many of whom are in areas receiving a secondary school for the first time.

The Minister further noted that Guyana’s “Because We Care” cash grant and uniform allowance programme has injected more than GYD$11 billion directly into households, with each schoolchild currently benefitting from GYD$55,000 annually. These benefits, she said, are set to double to $100,000 per child next year, along with the introduction of a new $100,000 transportation allowance aimed at easing economic barriers to education.

“Through these investments, we are ensuring that no child is left behind because of economic insecurity,” Minister Parag said.

She went on to discuss Guyana’s strategy for aligning its education system with high-value sectors, through the expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and STEM education. The Minister underscored the government’s belief that Artificial Intelligence (AI)—when properly governed—can serve as a tool to strengthen education systems, improve public services, and enhance climate and biodiversity research.

“Guided by ethics and equity, Guyana is fostering digital literacy to ensure technology serves humanity—empowering our youth to lead with creativity and conscience,” Minister Parag told delegates.

Touching on environmental and cultural dimensions, the Education Minister highlighted Guyana’s globally recognized Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), reaffirming its role as a high-forest, low-deforestation country. She also announced new international collaborations, including a partnership with the Yale Center for Biodiversity and Global Change and the launch of a Global Biodiversity Alliance earlier this year.

On the cultural front, Minister Parag said Guyana continues to celebrate its rich diversity under the national motto “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.” She revealed that Guyana is in the process of ratifying UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which will formally protect the languages and traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples.

Reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to active multilateral engagement, Minister Parag announced the country’s candidature to the UNESCO Executive Board ahead of the November 7 elections, calling for stronger international cooperation in the face of shared global challenges.

“The challenges of our time—climate change, digital transformation, and the erosion of cultural heritage—demand that we reimagine the future together,” she urged. “Let us transform today’s uncertainty into tomorrow’s opportunity, guided by our shared belief in peace, knowledge, and human dignity.”

The UNESCO General Conference, which determines the organization’s policies, approves budgets, adopts conventions, and elects members of its Executive Board, runs from October 30 to November 13, 2025.

(Ministry of Education)