VP proposes compulsory civics and moral education in schools to build better citizens
Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) is considering introducing a compulsory subject focused on civics and moral education in Guyana’s school system during its next term.At his recent press conference, Jagdeo highlighted the need to instill national values, civic responsibility, and moral principles in students early on.
He said this initiative would help shape more informed, patriotic, and principled citizens.“In the next government, we have to go back,” Jagdeo stated.
“A compulsory subject in school must be civics or citizens’ education.” The Vice President recounted a past dialogue with religious leaders from Guyana’s three major faiths – Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam – during his tenure as President.
He said they had proposed introducing religious education in schools, but a consensus was not reached due to constitutional and inclusivity concerns.However, Jagdeo suggested a renewed approach, where faith-based values common to all major religions are combined with civic education to create a unified and secular curriculum.
“If the three groups get together and come up with a series of things that we can teach, maybe call it moral education, then we’re prepared to put that in the school system,” he explained. “When you look at it, all [religions] basically want the same thing.”
The envisioned subject would blend religiously grounded moral values with education on democratic principles, constitutional rights, patriotism, and national unity. Jagdeo believes such a course could significantly influence the development of a more ethically grounded and socially responsible generation.
“Combine that with citizens’ education, the rights and responsibilities of a citizen, the Constitution of Guyana, the value of democracy, the need to preserve our freedom, patriotism, the integrity of our borders, all of these can be combined in one subject,” he said.
The Vice President stressed that the goal is to “incubate better citizens at that level,” adding that the initiative would promote values like truthfulness, empathy, and national pride.
