Migrant Children Thriving in Guyana’s Education System

January 10 2025 – Over 4,000 Venezuelan migrant children have been registered in Guyana’s education system, benefitting from free access to schools and other resources.

This was announced at the Ministry of Education’s year-in-review press conference, held earlier today at the NCERD Boardroom in Kingston, Georgetown.

Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain highlighted that the Ministry’s Schools Support Services has a dedicated Migrant Unit, one of the few such entities in the Caribbean, aimed at integrating migrant children into the education system.

He stated that the Ministry will continue to register migrant children as they make themselves available or are found in communities, adding that Guyana is among the few countries that do not require documentation such as birth certificates for enrollment.

Once enrolled, migrant children receive the same benefits as local students, including access to cash grants, textbooks, and other amenities.

The CEO pointed out that the integration of migrant children has brought challenges, particularly language barriers. To address this, after-school English classes are available for non-native speakers. Additionally, the Ministry has implemented a new curriculum designed to cater to the needs of migrant students.

The Exam Unit has also adapted to this demographic, preparing examinations in Spanish to accommodate those who are still learning English.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand noted that many migrant students have excelled academically, topping the ranks in national exams such as NGSA (National Grade Six Assessment), CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate), and at tertiary institutions like the University of Guyana and the Guyana Technical Institute (GTI).

She posited that schools and health services are free and open to them, as this inclusivity is paying off as migrant students achieving remarkable academic success.