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By Mark DaCosta- The Alliance For Change (AFC) has raised alarm over what it describes as the government’s persistent inequitable distribution of state resources, particularly in Guyana’s indigenous hinterland communities. According to the AFC, despite Guyana’s economic boom driven by the oil sector, indigenous regions remain sidelined, widening the developmental gap between the hinterland and coastal areas.
The AFC states that the government’s decision to allocate 26.5 percent of carbon credits to the 242 indigenous communities was made without any meaningful consultation with the affected people. The party points out that these communities receive meagre annual grants from the government, with Surama Village, for example, receiving only 1.2 million Guyana dollars. This figure is largely uniform across the villages. In total, the AFC states that the government allocated 36 million dollars for welfare in all Amerindian communities, while it has poured 36 billion dollars into the failing sugar industry over the past four years. According to the AFC, this stark contrast highlights the government’s skewed priorities.
Education is a particular area of concern for the AFC. In a recent visit to Annai, the party learned from a Deputy Toshao that 73 students from surrounding villages walk nearly four miles daily in the scorching sun to attend Annai Secondary School. While the local village council had approved the purchase of a bus to transport the students, the AFC says the government has not delivered on this promise, leaving students to face the harsh conditions.
The AFC emphasises that the challenges in the education system go beyond physical infrastructure. The party argues that while schools have been built, they often lack the necessary resources to function effectively. Teachers in these communities have limited access to professional development, students have little to no access to textbooks, and internet connectivity is almost non-existent. The AFC also highlights the erratic electricity supply, which further hinders students’ ability to learn and limits their access to online resources.
“Education apartheid”
This lack of resources has had dire consequences for hinterland students, according to the AFC. The party cites alarming statistics from Region 9, where 465 students sat for CSEC Mathematics exams this year, yet not a single one achieved a Grade 1. The AFC notes that 90 percent of the students failed to secure a Grade 3 pass. It also points to the 2022 results, where no hinterland student received a Grade 1, while coastal schools boasted over 20 Grade 1 passes. This, the AFC claims, is indicative of an “education apartheid,” where hinterland students are at a severe disadvantage compared to their coastal counterparts.
The AFC also criticises the government’s handling of infrastructure projects meant to benefit hinterland communities. The construction of a road from Linden to Lethem, which had been initiated under the Coalition government with funding from the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund and the Caribbean Development Bank, has stalled under the current administration. The AFC alleges that the PPP government attempted to divert funds from this project, but was blocked by the UK government. Furthermore, a feasibility study for a bridge at Kurupukari, which would have greatly improved access to hinterland communities, was cancelled by the current government, despite the availability of oil revenue to fund such projects.
Internet access is another area where the AFC believes the government has failed. During its time in government, the AFC claims it provided 200 internet hotspots in hinterland communities, serving institutions, health centres, and schools. However, the party now accuses the current administration of failing to maintain and expand this infrastructure, with some equipment reportedly removed from villages like Surama. The AFC insists that the government could easily remedy this situation by using a small percentage of oil revenues to provide Starlink internet to all hinterland communities, significantly improving educational opportunities.
The AFC is calling for urgent investment in early childhood education as a way to reduce income inequality and improve social mobility in rural areas. According to the party, high-quality early education offers the best return on investment, fostering human capital and closing educational gaps that have long plagued hinterland regions. The AFC argues that, based on broad consensus in academic literature, such investment has proven benefits for long-term educational attainment and future earnings, which could break the cycle of poverty in these marginalised communities.
Warns of the social unrest that could arise
The AFC also warns of the social unrest that could arise from continued inequitable distribution of resources. Citing international studies, the party stresses that if a large segment of society views government actions as fundamentally unfair, it could lead to heightened social tension. The AFC argues that, in a democracy, equity must be a guiding principle, and it is essential to national development. Without equitable access to education, infrastructure, and basic services, the party claims, the government’s promises of prosperity will remain hollow, especially for the hinterland.
The AFC has repeatedly asserted that a fair and just allocation of resources is not only a moral imperative but also a prerequisite for Guyana’s national development. The party argues that the government’s current policies disproportionately benefit coastal regions and the sugar industry, while the indigenous hinterland continues to suffer from systemic neglect. Equity, the AFC often contends, must be at the heart of any true democracy, and the government’s failure to address these issues risks leaving a significant portion of the country behind.
