STEMMING THE MIGRATION FLOW

Feb 24, 2017 Editorial, Features / Columnists

The importance of education cannot be stated enough in Guyana. It is a self-enlightening process that is crucial to the overall development of an individual and society at large. Education provides people with knowledge about the country and world. It paves the way for a good career, improves one’s status in life and enriches people’s understanding of themselves, others, events and places.
Education is an investment in human capital. It lays the foundation for the nation’s growth, development and prosperity.
Therefore, it is rather unfortunate to hear the pronouncement by the Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, that 93 percent of all persons with a tertiary education are leaving Guyana. His comment which came in the wake of the 2016 World Bank report on Migration and Remittances shows that a serious brain drain is taking place in Guyana. Not only is it extremely painful to hear, but it is a national tragedy for a country with such a small population and struggling to improve its economy, reduce crime, corruption and high unemployment, and lower its foreign debt.
This should be a wake-up call for the government to do whatever is possible to keep the best and brightest minds in the country. If it does not, then Guyana is doomed. However, while Guyana is suffering from the brain drain, other countries in the Caribbean and North America are benefiting substantially from it. It is disheartening to see teachers trained at the Cyril Potter College of Education and young people with Degrees leaving for greener pastures in the Caribbean and North America for work.
However, the pattern of migration from the country is not new. It is not only qualified professionals who leave, but people in all sectors. This trend which began decades ago worsened during the reign of the PPP.
Among the factors cited for the high migration rate are the country’s poor economy, its inability to pay adequate wages and salaries, substandard working conditions and an inadequate health care system. The high crime rate is also a factor. It is estimated that more than 55,000 persons have migrated from Guyana during the last two decades and the administration did very little to prevent the outflow.
The same is true for this government. Since taking office nearly two years ago, the government has done very little to try to stem the outflow of educated professionals, particularly those who leave due to elements which can be controlled and improved by the state. In fact, it has recruited only a few Guyanese from the diaspora who have excelled in many fields in education, medicine, computer, law, commerce and trade and many other areas of science and arts to return to help in the development of the country.
However, it should be pointed out even though it would have liked to recruit more qualified Guyanese from the diaspora, it does not have the resources to do so. The reason is the standard of living of most Guyanese in the diaspora is much higher than it is in Guyana.
It is very disturbing and painful to know that persons who have been educated locally have proceeded to leave after graduating. If the government is serious about curbing the mass migration by intellectuals, it has to make some drastic changes and this is not likely, because of favoritism and nepotism by party officials to offer their supporters and friends jobs although they might not be qualified for the job.
Be that as it may, the government should try to develop a strategy whereby it can encourage their qualified professionals, teachers, nurses, tradesmen, farmers, etc. to remain at home. While this is not an easy task, the government must take the necessary steps to prevent the hemorrhaging of the nation. This is a very important issue, therefore, the government should seek the assistance of all stakeholders including the opposition, religious, social and cultural organizations to help stem the migration flow.

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