Minister Manickchand and Prof Opadeyi must resign over mismanagement of GOAL Programme- Opposition

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and its coalition partner, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), have issued a call for full transparency and accountability concerning the ongoing crisis surrounding the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) and its failed partnerships with the International Skill Development Corporation (ISDC) and Staffordshire University.

This year the Government allocated $4.4 Billion to the programme, now marred in controversy. Last year the Government allocated $4 Billion while giving the University of Guyana, a paltry $4.1 Billion

In the immediate term, the PNCR/APNU is demanding accountability from the current leadership, calling for the resignation of two key figures implicated in the crisis: Professor Jacob Opadeyi, who is associated with the administration of GOAL, and Minister Priya Manickchand, who oversees the Ministry of Education. The PNCR/APNU has accused both individuals of misleading students and mismanaging public funds.

GOAL, which was initially established with the aim of expanding access to higher education for Guyanese students, is now under intense scrutiny after recent revelations suggest serious mismanagement and possible financial irregularities. Over 1,400 students, who were awarded scholarships to study at Staffordshire University through the GOAL programme, are now facing uncertainty. This comes after Staffordshire University publicly denied any formal relationship with ISDC or GOAL, casting doubt on the integrity of the programme and its leadership.

The public trust has been severely betrayed, said the PNCR in a statement issued Friday. “Students who were promised access to quality education have instead been left in limbo, and questions remain about the handling of public funds and the true nature of these questionable foreign partnerships.”

As part of their response, the PNCR/APNU outlined a comprehensive plan to overhaul the GOAL programme under a future government. The plan includes several key actions aimed at restoring integrity, improving the programme’s structure, and ensuring it better serves the needs of the nation’s students:

1. National Skills Needs Assessment: A detailed national skills needs assessment will be conducted to identify priority areas of study that align with the country’s people-centered national development strategy.
2. Restructuring of GOAL: The programme will be restructured and placed under the management of the University of Guyana (UG) to ensure quality control and better coordination, moving away from reliance on third-party agencies.
3. Direct Partnerships with Overseas Universities: Instead of dealing with questionable third-party intermediaries, the PNCR/APNU plans to establish direct relationships with reputable overseas universities to ensure transparency and trust.
4. Inclusion in Job Placement Scheme: Graduates of the revamped GOAL programme will be incorporated into the national job placement scheme, ensuring they can seamlessly transition into meaningful employment.
5. Rebranding of GOAL: To restore public confidence, the programme will undergo a comprehensive rebranding, refreshing its image to reflect its renewed focus on quality education and student success.

The party also demands a full parliamentary inquiry into the GOAL programme and a forensic audit of its financial records. The inquiry should include a public review of all agreements, particularly those with ISDC, UNICAF, and other third-party affiliates.

Additionally, the PNCR/APNU is calling for immediate intervention to provide affected students with legitimate alternatives to continue their education. These alternatives include transferring to the University of Guyana or other accredited local institutions, rather than being forced into potentially dubious foreign partnerships.

This is not just about administrative mismanagement; it is about the future of our young people, said the PNCR. “We will not allow GOAL to become a vehicle for financial misappropriation or failed leadership. The Government of Guyana must act decisively to restore public confidence in this program and ensure that those responsible for this debacle are held accountable.”

The PNCR/APNU has made it clear that they are committed to restoring the GOAL programme to its original purpose: providing accessible and quality higher education opportunities for Guyanese students.