The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government continues to deny the children of Guyana free education from nursery to university. The government’s denial is a violation of Guyanese constitutional ‘Right to Education’ as guaranteed in the Constitution of Guyana at Article 27. This article expressly states:
“1. Every citizen has the right to free education from nursery to university as well as at non-formal places where opportunities are provided for education and training.
“2. It is the duty of the State to provide education that would include curricula designed to reflect the cultural diversities of Guyana and disciplines that are necessary to prepare students to deal with social issues and to meet the challenges of the modem technological age.”
University of Guyana students are still paying for their education. The denial of the right to free education at the University of Guyana and introduction of fee paying started in 1994 by the PPP government. Over the years Guyanese and organisations like the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), have fought against this violation.
Bowing to public pressure, PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, yesterday announced at his press conference government’s intent to write off up to $5 billion of student loans by year end.
Jadego said while over $200 million has already been written off, almost 3,000 students more will benefit before year end. But this writes off comes with strings attached even though the Guyana Constitution does not stipulate that. According to Jagdeo to be eligible for the write off, the former student must be “here in Guyana and contributing to national development.”
GTUC General Secretary Lincoln Lewis rubbished the criteria being set. The veteran trade unionist told Village Voice News the constitution must be respected; it did not set conditionalities for student loan or its write off and is very explicit that education must be free from nursery to university. Lewis said Jagdeo cannot be writing policies that conflict with the constitution to deny individuals their rights.
Last January the trade unionist rejected President Irfaan Ali’s phased-in proposal to upholding the constitutional right to free education from nursery to university. Lewis said it must be fully restored, and right now.
