Mr. Elson Low, Youth and Economic Advisor to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Aubrey Norton, at the press conference on Thursday said “now that the national budget debates have come to a close, we want to draw attention to two areas of focus that cannot be emphasised enough. The first concerns what young Guyanese should expect from their country when the Coalition is in office.”
According to Low, who is an economist, the A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition understands many young people feel great anxiety that as the country changes, they are being left behind. And whilst the Opposition did not state what they would do to address the “great anxiety” in the present, they promised “this will not be the case under our next government.”
According to the Opposition, the next coalition government will create an environment that helps young people to live their best lives. “Guyana will be one of the best places in the world to live, develop and grow.” To the end the young, who comprises at least two-third of the nation’s population, could forward to:
“1. Guaranteed, comfortable housing for young people at the beginning of their careers and other Guyanese through our Rent-to-Own schemes.
- Salary top-ups to help young people, at the beginning of their career, to live comfortable lives.
- A tuition-free University of Guyana to encourage young people to attain higher education.
- The writing-off of all University of Guyana student debt.
- Student stipends of no less than $50,000 for 50,000 tertiary students to help them meet the expenses of higher education and prepare themselves for the job market.
- Tens of thousands of training opportunities through internships with oil companies and various TVET programs to help young people fill jobs in the oil and gas industry as well as across Guyana’s growing economy.
- The implementation of Night Schools for those who would have dropped out of school and those who want to improve their education and obtain better jobs.
- High-paying jobs across Guyana with a new focus, throughout the economy, on productivity.
- Guaranteed, high-paying jobs for all university graduates, where they will help solve Guyana’s development problems through analysis and data-driven research.
- The removal of income tax, to help young people at the beginning of their career to establish themselves.
- Free water and electricity service for young people beginning their careers.
- Livable communities throughout Guyana, with public spaces that encourage sport, art and leisure.
- Investment in sport not merely to ensure participation in international competitions, but with a focus on making Guyana proud on the podiums of the different sports.
- Programmes to promote art and culture that contribute to the development of a well-rounded youth.”
The parliamentary coalition said with Guyana’s extensive oil wealth, optimism and enthusiasm should come, but unfortunately, most if not all of the international reports on Guyana suggest that poverty is on the increase.
The coalition stated that they intend always to help young people to succeed and will ensure that they feel great pride in Guyana. Pointing out that they “recognise that the government has done little to help young people feel this optimism and accomplish their career, social and personal goals, [w] e will do everything in our power to change this now, and when we return to office.”
