The Alliance For Change (AFC) has unveiled a major campaign proposal focused on education, pledging direct financial support to students, expanded nutrition programmes, and free transportation if elected in the September 1 General and Regional Elections.
AFC representative and candidate Devin Sears outlined the plan during a recent address, promising that every student—public or private—will receive $75,000 each school term. “Every student, every term will be getting $75,000. We believe that this money will go to good use in terms of buying material supplies. Textbooks will be free,” Sears said.
He noted that the allowance could also be used to start early savings accounts for children. Sears stressed that in a country as resource-rich as Guyana, no child should be denied access to basic education tools because of poverty. “The country has enough wealth that we could give support where it’s needed,” he stated. “There is no excuse.”
The AFC also committed to strengthening the school uniform programme, pledging that all students will receive free uniforms annually. “Automatically that school uniform voucher will increase and improve. That is what the Alliance For Change will do,” Sears declared.
On the issue of school transportation, Sears said the AFC would build upon the previous 5Bs initiative—buses, boats, bicycles, breakfast, and books—by providing free transportation to every child, whether by road, river, or otherwise. “We will ensure that no parent has to pay for their child to get to school,” he added.
A national consultation with parents is also on the cards to decide the best methods for implementing this policy, especially in the hinterland and riverine communities where access to school remains a daily struggle. The party envisions assigning dedicated boats and buses to schools in these regions.
Turning to nutrition, Sears issued a sharp critique of the current school feeding programme under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), calling it “a hustle” and “insufficient.” “The little snack they give the students is not a balanced meal,” he said.
The AFC, he announced, would provide balanced and nutritious meals consisting of vegetables, meat, milk, and juice, and will construct cafeterias at schools to offer both breakfast and lunch. “There must never be an excuse that any child doesn’t have breakfast or lunch,” Sears insisted.
His statements come in the wake of a recent UNICEF report that found 20% of children in Guyana suffer from “severe food poverty,” meaning their families can afford no more than two food groups daily. An additional 40% live in “moderate food poverty”, consuming only half of the required daily nutrition.
Finally, Sears reaffirmed the AFC’s commitment to working with Parent-Teacher Associations, the Department of Education, and the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), stating that inclusive governance would be central to the party’s approach to education reform.
