$24.3B education budget targets National Growth

February 3, 2026

Guyana’s education sector will receive a $24.3 billion allocation in the 2026 National Budget, reinforcing the government’s commitment to strengthening access to education, improving quality, and supporting long-term national development.

During the first round of budget debates in the National Assembly, Minister of Education Sonia Parag said the allocation reflects a strategic and sustainable approach aimed at ensuring all children—regardless of their location or socio-economic background—can benefit from meaningful learning opportunities.

She noted that continued and consistent investment in education is essential to achieving measurable improvements for families and communities across the country.

Guyana has already attained universal access to primary education and is on track to achieve universal secondary education in 2026, supported by the completion of several major school construction projects.

Since returning to office, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has built 66 nursery schools, 34 primary schools and 33 secondary schools. Rehabilitation and expansion works have also been carried out at dozens of other institutions, alongside upgrades to 19 student dormitories to improve safety and living conditions for learners from remote communities.

A major portion of the 2026 allocation will support the completion of more than 40 schools nationwide, with a particular focus on hinterland and riverine regions. New secondary schools planned for Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine—including communities such as Matthews Ridge, Jawalla, Philippai, Issano, Monkey Mountain, Nappi, Yupukari and Shulinab—are expected to create 6,760 additional secondary school spaces.

At the tertiary level, the government continues efforts to remove financial barriers to higher education. More than $3 billion in student loan debt has been written off for over 4,000 students, and applications to the University of Guyana have risen significantly following the removal of tuition fees.

For 2026, the University of Guyana will receive $14.5 billion, along with an additional $1 billion to expand medical and engineering programmes in Regions Two, Three and Six, supporting the decentralisation of higher education.

The government is also expanding the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme, with plans to remove limits on approved applicants from 2026. Over 14,000 scholarships were awarded last year across vocational, undergraduate and postgraduate disciplines.

Modernisation efforts continue through the Guyana Digital School, which provides free, curriculum-aligned secondary education for students in Grades Seven to Eleven. Since its launch, the platform has attracted more than 22,000 registered users, including students from other CARICOM countries, offering access to a wide range of academic subjects.

The Ministry of Education says the 2026 budget underscores a strong national focus on access, inclusion and opportunity, positioning education as a central driver of Guyana’s economic and social development.