Academic Equity A Major Push in Guyana

Minister Parag Addresses 43rd UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand

(Date) – Minister of Education, Sonia Parag, on Friday addressed the 43rd Session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference, hosted in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

She affirmed Guyana’s profound commitment to education, sustainable development, and global cooperation, highlighting the government’s extraordinary investment in human capital as the cornerstone of the country’s rapid growth.

Minister Parag emphasized that while Guyana’s economy is experiencing a significant boom, the nation measures “true prosperity… not only by economic output but by the opportunities we create for every citizen.” She stressed the urgency of reversing global educational setbacks and closing the inequality gap.

“The global slowdown in educational progress must be reversed, and it must start now,” Minister Parag asserted.

She highlighted several groundbreaking initiatives over the last five years, foremost being the expansion of opportunities for tertiary education through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), which has awarded close to 40,000 scholarships to Guyanese, including those in remote and rural areas.

Minister Parag also noted that over GYD$36 billion has been invested in school construction and rehabilitation, expanding capacity for approximately 20,000 additional students and enabling many Hinterland communities to receive secondary schools for the first time.

The expanded “Because We Care” Student Grant and uniform allowances currently provide GYD$55,000 per child annually, representing a direct investment of over GYD$11 billion to remove economic barriers. These allowances will increase to $100,000 next year, with an additional $100,000 transportation allowance.

“Through these efforts… we are ensuring that no child is left behind because of economic insecurity,” Minister Parag underscored.

In the context of a rapidly transforming world, Minister Parag outlined her government’s strategy to align the local workforce with high-value sectors, particularly through the expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and STEM education. She also highlighted Guyana’s approach to Artificial Intelligence:

“Guyana views AI, appropriately governed, as an opportunity to enhance education, improve public services, and strengthen climate research. Guided by ethics and equity, we are fostering digital literacy to ensure technology serves humanity, empowering our youth to lead with creativity and conscience.”

Minister Parag also spoke about Guyana’s unique position as a high-forest, low-deforestation country, guided by its landmark Low Carbon Development Strategy. She announced new commitments to global stewardship, including a partnership with the Yale Center for Biodiversity and Global Change and the launch of a Global Biodiversity Alliance in July 2025.

On the cultural front, the Minister highlighted Guyana’s cultural diversity and how its people embody the national motto: “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.” She informed the conference that Guyana is prioritizing the ratification of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, to protect the languages and traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples.

In reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to global collaboration, Minister Parag announced the nation’s candidature to the UNESCO Executive Board in the upcoming elections on November 7, issuing a powerful call to action:

“The challenges of our time—climate change, digital transformation, and the erosion of cultural heritage—demand that we reimagine the future together. Let us transform today’s uncertainty into tomorrow’s opportunity, guided by our shared belief in peace, knowledge, and human dignity.”

The UNESCO General Conference, which sets the organization’s policies, approves its budget and programs, adopts conventions and recommendations, elects members of the Executive Board, and appoints the Director-General, began on October 30 and is slated to wrap up on November 13, 2025.