Official Statement on Internet Connectivity and ICT Access in Schools

Official Statement on Internet Connectivity and ICT Access in Schools

The Ministry of Education has noted a fallacious and misleading statement circulating on social media suggesting that restrictions are being placed on teachers’ access to internet connectivity services in schools.

The Ministry wishes to categorically state that at no time has the Ministry—whether through the Management Information Systems Unit (MISU), the Regional ICT Department, or any arm of the Ministry—issued any policy, directive, or guideline that restricts teachers’ access to the internet services provided in schools. No such restriction has ever been implemented or authorized.

Commitment to ICT Access and Integration

Contrary to the inaccurate claims being circulated, the Ministry of Education and the Government of Guyana are currently undertaking historic, multi-million-dollar national investments to expand—not reduce—ICT access in the education system.

Over the last five years, the Ministry’s ICT budget has increased exponentially, reflecting a deliberate policy direction to modernize education delivery and ensure equitable access to digital tools for all teachers and students. Key initiatives already implemented or underway include:

• Construction and upgrading of computer laboratories in primary and secondary schools

• Expansion of ICT resources for online, blended, and remote learning

• Large-scale procurement of computing devices, servers, and network equipment

• Installation of whole-school networks (wired and wireless)

• Strengthening of connectivity in classrooms, labs, smart rooms, libraries, and administrative spaces

• Deployment of interactive smart boards and digital teaching tools nationwide

These initiatives are guided by the Ministry’s comprehensive ICT in Education Policy and Master Plan, which establishes ICT integration as a central pillar in transforming Guyana’s education system and preparing students with 21st-century skills.

Expansion of Connectivity Across Guyana

To date, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), has successfully delivered internet connectivity to 1,033 schools, comprising:

• 385 Nursery Schools

• 489 Primary Schools

• All Secondary Schools across Guyana

Over the past two years alone, 365 hinterland and remote schools have been connected to high-speed internet. Additionally, 134 schools have transitioned from LTE services to high-speed fibre-optic connectivity, significantly improving reliability and bandwidth for teaching and administrative functions.

Whole-School Network Initiative

A major ICT program currently underway is the implementation of the Whole-School Network Initiative, a modern infrastructure project designed to provide full-campus internet coverage to schools across Guyana.

For 2025, the planned rollout includes:

• 118 Nursery Schools – installation in progress

• 143 Primary Schools – installation scheduled to commence

• 85 Secondary Schools – installation scheduled to commence

These represent the targeted rollout figures for 2025, with the Ministry’s overarching goal being the continued expansion of the Whole-School Network Initiative until every school in Guyana is fully equipped with comprehensive, campus-wide connectivity—including fixed wired infrastructure, wireless access points in every classroom, and a robust modern network backbone.

These networks form the critical foundation supporting the Ministry’s broader ecosystem of technology-driven solutions, including:

• EMIS and school administrative systems

• Classroom technology integration and research

• Digital libraries and content platforms

• Student research and digital literacy development

• Smart classrooms and interactive learning spaces

• The Connecting Classrooms platform

• Technology-supported mathematics and literacy interventions

• Teacher digital training and capacity building

• Access for GOAL learners and other online students

Given these extensive investments and the Ministry’s clear policy direction, it would be counterproductive, illogical, and inconsistent for the Ministry to restrict teachers’ access to internet services in schools.

Clarification on Internet Usage Policies

Educational internet provided to schools is designed to support teaching, learning, EMIS usage, research, and other school operations.

As is standard global practice, security filtering and monitoring are used to ensure safe and appropriate use of the network, particularly in environments with minors.

Teachers are not restricted from accessing legitimate educational platforms or digital resources.

Occasional connectivity issues with individual devices—such as tablets or laptops—are typically localized technical matters, not national policy decisions. Schools are encouraged to report such issues through the established ICT support channels for prompt resolution.

Commitment to Digital Transformation

The Ministry of Education reiterates that internet access is being expanded—not reduced. Guyana’s education sector is undergoing one of the most comprehensive digital transformation programs in its history, aimed at ensuring every learner and every teacher benefits from high-quality digital tools, reliable connectivity, and modern classroom technology.

In fact, this year, as part of the National CSEC Mathematics Intervention Programme, 18 hinterland secondary schools have been equipped with interactive smart boards and high-speed internet connectivity. Through this initiative, expert Mathematics teachers are delivering the CSEC Mathematics curriculum to students in these remote regions using the Microsoft Teams platform, ensuring equitable access to quality instruction regardless of geography.

The Ministry encourages the public to rely on verified information from official sources and to disregard unfounded claims intended to mislead the teaching fraternity and the wider society.

END.