The We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Party has issued a scathing critique of Guyana’s education system, pointing to the worsening state of rural schools as evidence of persistent institutional neglect—even as the country boasts record oil revenues.
In a social media statement titled “Neglect of rural schools and teachers ends with us”, WIN spotlighted the deteriorating conditions at Eyelash Primary and Five Star Primary Schools in Region One’s Matarkai sub-region. The party described the two schools as “troubling symbols” of the widening divide between urban development and hinterland deprivation.
“It is saddening that children across this resource-rich nation are not treated fairly,” WIN stated, as it condemned the delay of teachers’ stipends, dilapidated school infrastructure, and unsafe classroom environments.
At Eyelash Primary, a teacher reported not receiving payment for four months. Ordinarily, payments are processed by the District Education Officer (DEO), but according to WIN, this has inexplicably stalled. “Adding to the state of the building, teachers’ stipends are delayed,” the statement noted, calling such treatment inexcusable in an era of rising national wealth.
At nearby Five Star Primary, the party described a school in disrepair—where dogs roam freely in classrooms, furniture is broken, and basic safety standards are lacking. “The learning conditions are simply unfit for children,” WIN declared. The party further posed a stark question to the political leadership: “Would any cabinet minister send their child to one of these schools?”
While the Ministry of Education and the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) continue hosting ribbon-cutting ceremonies in the capital for newly rebuilt schools, WIN charged that the nation’s interior regions are left behind. “This imbalance is unacceptable,” it said.
WIN’s warning aligns with findings from a recent World Bank report published in October, which concluded that despite increased government spending on education, Guyana continues to lag behind its Latin American and Caribbean neighbours in educational performance. The report noted that while enrollment rates have improved—88% at the nursery level and 92% at primary—the quality of education remains “alarmingly low.”
According to the World Bank’s Human Capital Index, a child born in Guyana today will only reach 50% of their potential productivity in adulthood due to inadequate education and poor health services. This figure is significantly below the regional average.
The country’s educational crisis is also reflected in the Learning-Adjusted Years of Schooling (LAYS) metric: although Guyanese students are expected to complete 12.2 years of schooling, in real learning terms, this equates to just 6.8 years. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened this trend, with estimates suggesting a loss of 1.6 years of effective education due to school closures.
Yet in the face of these statistics, WIN lauded the resilience of teachers in neglected regions. “We salute the efforts of these brave women and men,” the party said, noting that despite being overlooked, teachers in Matarkai continue to serve their communities with dedication.
Reaffirming its campaign priorities, the WIN Party pledged to invest equitably in education across Guyana, ensuring that every child—regardless of geography—has access to a “safe, dignified learning space,” and that all educators receive “fair and timely compensation.”
“We stand with all educators, especially those who continue to reach out to have their voices heard,” WIN declared, closing with the call: #VoteWIN—a signal of its political intent ahead of the September 1 General and Regional Elections.
