By Mark DaCosta- The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has raised significant concerns regarding the government’s recent partnership with Coursera, highlighting issues of transparency and a lack of alignment with existing national training frameworks. The opposition has called for a more integrated and accountable approach to workforce development.
The recent announcement of a collaboration between the government and Coursera, an online learning platform offering a range of courses from esteemed universities globally, has prompted criticism from the A Partnership for National Unity. They argue that the introduction of this programme is emblematic of a broader trend of poorly managed educational initiatives that fail to effectively engage with the pressing needs of our public service sector. APNU’s spokesperson, Hon. Sherod Duncan, expressed deep reservations about the absence of clarity surrounding key aspects of the initiative. He stated, “The Government has not disclosed the cost, the procurement method, the expected number of beneficiaries, or the criteria for participation.”
Critics have pointed out that, instead of fostering collaboration with established local institutes like the University of Guyana (UG) and various vocational centres, the government is opting for a foreign-based solution that lacks integration with our national educational structure. This disjointed approach follows a concerning pattern where essential training initiatives are rolled out without a cohesive strategy, potentially hindering the development of a robust national workforce. Furthermore, the public servants’ information that will be processed on a foreign platform raises significant data protection concerns.
The history of public sector training in our country includes previously established institutions designed to create structured professional development opportunities. The Bertram Collins College of the Public Service, which was specifically designed to provide essential skills training and leadership development, was dismantled without fully realising its potential impact. Duncan highlighted the failure to recognise past successes, arguing that “these are elements an outsourced certificate model cannot replicate.” Without the foundation provided by such institutions, there is a danger that the Coursera programme may provide mere certificates rather than substantial pathways toward meaningful career progression.
Duncan further elaborated on how the current initiative diverges sharply from the national workforce development model articulated by the APNU/AFC manifesto. This model placed emphasis on the importance of utilising local educational entities to provide training that aligns closely with market demands. Instead of presenting another isolated programme, the APNU advocates for a training system that is integrated and credit-bearing, where “public-service training should not be a dead-end certificate.” The implication is clear: the lack of coherence among various training initiatives risks undermining efforts to establish a well-trained, competent public workforce.
In light of these challenges, Duncan has announced plans to table questions in Parliament directed to the Ministers of Finance and Public Service. The inquiry will seek clarity on the procurement process, revealing any contracts related to this initiative, regional participation data, and safeguards for accreditation and monitoring. The Public Accounts Committee is also urged to scrutinise all similar digital-learning and foreign training initiatives critically, ensuring the prudent use of public resources.
APNU stands firm in its belief that our nation deserves a capable and modern public service. “Guyana cannot build a 21st-century workforce on disjointed experiments,” Duncan proclaimed. A systematic approach is necessary, one that nurtures our own institutions and fosters genuine opportunities for growth within our workforce. The time has come for the government to reassess its strategy and prioritise a comprehensive training framework that promotes advancement for all public servants, rather than opting for fragmented projects that offer little real benefit. As debates continue, it is essential for the government to heed these warnings to emerge with a stronger and more integrated workforce development approach for the future.
