Opposition calls for forensic audit of GOAL programme

Mar 22, 2025 News

Kaieteur News- Opposition political parties, including the People’s National Congress Reform/A Partnership for National Unity (PNCR/APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), are calling for a forensic audit and a complete revamp of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme.

AFC Leader, Nigel Hughes

In a statement issued by the PNCR on Friday, the party suggested a comprehensive overhaul of the entire programme. This call follows the recent issues surrounding GOAL’s failed partnership with the International Skill Development Corporation (ISDC) and Staffordshire University.

Some students disclosed other concerns with the programme, including language barriers, poor communication between GOAL and students, and an inability to directly communicate with university lecturers. Other complaints included the lack of flexibility in switching courses due to inconsistencies with previously selected courses, as well as ever-changing teaching methods.

The PNCR stated that such inconveniences faced by affected students, “suggest serious mismanagement, lack of transparency, and potential financial irregularities. Students who were awarded scholarships to study at Staffordshire University have now found themselves in a state of uncertainty, with Staffordshire denying any formal relationship with ISDC or GOAL. This betrayal of public trust raises critical questions that must be answered.”

Furthermore, the opposition party is demanding the immediate resignation of Professor Jacob Opadeyi and Minister Priya Manickchand, claiming that they played a role in misleading students and mismanaging public funds. The parties are also calling for a full parliamentary inquiry and forensic audit of GOAL’s financial records, particularly focusing on agreements with ISDC, UNICAF, and other third-party affiliates that should be made public, ” the party stated.

Opposition calls for forensic audit of GOAL programme

In addition, the PNCR is urging immediate intervention to provide affected students with legitimate alternatives to continue their studies, either at the University of Guyana or other accredited local institutions.

Meanwhile, the AFC, at its weekly press conference, echoed similar concerns and called for the same interventions as the PNCR. They too are demanding a forensic audit, with the findings to be made public.

“This demand is fueled by the mounting evidence of corruption, mismanagement, and lack of transparency that has plagued the programme from its inception, resulting in wasted time, dashed hopes, and squandered opportunities for many Guyanese students enrolled in the programmes,” the AFC stated.

The AFC also called for the establishment of mechanisms to ensure that public funds are used responsibly and transparently in the future.

“This blatant misuse of taxpayers’ money is a betrayal of public trust and cannot be tolerated,” the party concluded.

(Opposition calls for forensic audit of GOAL programme)

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