The Ministry of Education in Guyana has identified five strategic goals for the coming years in an effort to improve and advance the education system in the country. The priorities were identified in the 2021 – 2025 MOE Education Sector Plan.
One of the main priorities for the Guyana Ministry of Education is to improve governance and accountability within the education sector. This goal is considered a national priority that affects the functioning of the education sector and its sub-sectors. The report states that in order to improve the quality and effectiveness of the education system, it is necessary to address the various deficiencies that exist in terms of management, knowledge, services, and resources. Studies have shown that addressing these systemic factors can create enabling conditions that directly impact students’ learning outcomes. By focusing on improving governance and accountability, the Ministry of Education hopes to create a more efficient and effective education system for all students in Guyana.
The Ministry has also identified improving performance at all levels of education as a priority. Currently, data from national assessments indicates that a low percentage of students are passing English and Mathematics at the National Grade Two level, with only 45% and 49% passing respectively. This trend continues at higher grade levels, with students in socio-economically disadvantaged communities, particularly in rural areas, performing significantly below the national average. Students are also struggling in areas that require higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, which are necessary for success in the modern world. At the secondary level, only 36% of students are matriculating, despite an improvement of 10% in the last plan period. While there was some improvement in English pass rates, moving from 46% to 63%, while Mathematics pass rates increased slightly from 40% to 45%. The Ministry of Education aims to address these issues and improve performance for all students.
The third goal is to improve the efficiency of the education system. Retention rates, particularly at the secondary level, are a concern. There is a high dropout rate at the secondary level, particularly for males, which has negative implications for the future of these students. The Ministry aims to address the reasons for this high dropout rate, such as socioeconomic conditions and the school environment, and improve retention rates.
Retention rates in the education system in Guyana are a cause for concern, particularly in secondary schools. Currently, only 93% of students in primary schools reach the final grade, while retention rates in secondary schools range from 42-50%. These rates are even lower for male students, with only 32% surviving to the final grade in secondary departments of primary schools and 39% in general secondary schools. To address this issue, the Ministry of Education has set a goal of having all students complete primary school and at least 70% complete secondary school by 2023, in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 4.
The fourth priority for the Ministry of Education in Guyana is to address inequities in the education system. This includes addressing the fact that students in disadvantaged communities and rural areas often have lower levels of performance and access to education. The Ministry plans to address this issue and work towards ensuring that all students have equal opportunities for quality education.
The final goal for the Ministry is to improve the overall quality of education in the country. To achieve this, the Ministry will focus on improving the skills and competencies of teachers, updating the curriculum to meet the changing needs of society, and investing in infrastructure and technology.
By addressing these areas, the Ministry hopes to create a more effective and efficient education system that can provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the modern world.
Overall, the Ministry of Education in Guyana has identified a number of key priorities in order to improve and advance the education system in the country. By addressing issues of governance, performance, efficiency, inequity, and quality, the Ministry hopes to create a strong foundation for the future success of students and the country as a whole.
