The government invested $81.9 billion in the first half of 2025 to push forward its plan for a world-class education system, accounting for nearly half of the $175 billion allocated for the year. Funds were directed toward school construction and upgrades, cash grants and feeding programmes, expanded digital access, teacher development, and accelerated changes in tertiary education.
Major school expansion and upgrades
Some $11.2 billion supported a range of school infrastructure projects. Four new nurseries, Baitoon, La Bagatelle, Mibicuri and Rockstone were finished, adding 280 new places, with Kako expected to be completed before year-end. Primary school renovations at Augsburg, Redcreek and 58 Miles are progressing, and construction of secondary schools continues at Jawalla, Kopinang, Monkey Mountain, Nismes, Phillipai, Tabatinga and Waramuri. Dormitories advanced at Aurora, St. Ignatius, Waramadong and Kwakwani, and new dorm projects are planned at Matthew’s Ridge, Monkey Mountain and a female dormitory at Kwakwani.
School feeding and cash grants support attendance
Of the $5.5 billion allocated to the national school meals programme, $3.5 billion has been spent so far. Breakfast is now provided to 49,841 coastal pupils, while 37,829 hinterland students receive hot meals. Another 1,000 pupils from Regions One, Eight, Nine and Ten will be added in the latter half of the year. The Because We Care cash grant has disbursed over $11 billion to more than 203,000 students, helping to keep children in school and prepared to learn.
Textbooks and classroom resources expanded
The government spent $56.2 million on nursery books and secondary-school textbooks. Almost 50 new nursery titles have been developed, with about 70 more in production. Each primary school will receive 137 new book titles later this year, and secondary-school collections will grow from 137 to 344 titles. An additional $2 billion in school grants was provided for classroom supplies.
Improved academic performance and targeted support
Guyana recorded historic gains at the NGSA, with pass rates exceeding 50% across all four core subjects for the first time. A nationwide Mathematics Intervention Programme remains in effect: every school received geometry sets, calculators and past papers, and mathematics monitors have been placed in 59 schools.
Expanded internet access and digital learning
First-time internet service was installed at 28 nurseries, 44 primary schools and four secondary schools, with another 50 schools scheduled for connection. Under the Hinterland/Riverine Solar and Satellite Project, equipment upgrades strengthened the Guyana Learning Channel in more than 200 communities. Six new digital channels were launched, and 2,300 digital learning boxes were distributed to families across several regions.
Tertiary education undergoes rapid change
The University of Guyana spent $6.5 billion in the first half of 2025 after the government made all programmes tuition-free, driving applications up to 11,600 from 8,902 the previous year. Over $1.5 billion in student debt was written off for 2,000 students, raising total loan forgiveness to $2.8 billion. UG also received universal institutional accreditation for the first time, and its College of Medical Sciences gained programme-level accreditation. Through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), 9,741 scholarships were awarded this year, bringing the total to 39,499 scholarships and nearly 10,000 graduates since 2021. A further 7,400 individuals completed Coursera courses.
Teachers’ training and workforce skills strengthened
More than 4,000 teachers are enrolled at CPCE, with 1,400 receiving GOAL scholarships this year. In TVET, the government launched a 2025–2035 national policy and invested $835 million in skills training. New practical instructional centres at Beterverwagting and Hopetown now offer CVQ Level I programmes, while departments at St. Ignatius and Bartica supported over 1,800 students. The Board of Industrial Training trained 2,673 people, with another 588 scheduled for later in the year. In July, 33 students graduated from the Guyana Technical Training College.
Overall, the half-year investments underscore the government’s push to broaden access, raise standards, and modernise Guyana’s education system from early childhood through tertiary and technical training.
