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APNU to build UG campuses in Linden, Essequibo if elected
University of Guyana Turkeyen Campus
Kaieteur News – As part of its commitment to improving Guyana’s education system, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has announced plans to establish university campuses in Linden, Region 10 and Essequibo, Region 3.
This initiative is outlined in the party’s newly launched manifesto, under the education plan “Ensuring equity and access.” According to the document, the new campuses will be developed in consultation with the University of Guyana (UG) administration and local stakeholders.
The University of Guyana is the country’s premier tertiary institution, with its main campus at Turkeyen, where students from Linden, the hinterland, and other regions either travel daily or live in dormitories to pursue higher education. A second campus exists in Berbice, which also serves a large student population. The APNU’s proposed expansion aims to reduce long-distance travel for students and improve access to tertiary education nationwide.
In addition to expanding university access, APNU has detailed a comprehensive plan to reform the broader education system. The party intends to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals for schools and the education sector, aligned with national priorities, stakeholder expectations, and international standards. APNU proposes conducting a full performance audit of the education system to identify successful practices and address areas of failure.
To improve teacher quality and retention, APNU plans to implement an Education Workforce Action Plan that will include better salaries, benefits, and professional development opportunities for educators. The party also aims to foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in schools by incentivising excellence in teaching and leadership.
In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4.2, APNU pledges to ensure all children have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education. The party envisions building modern, student-friendly learning environments, which include AI-enabled smart classrooms, modern labs and libraries, free and reliable internet access, adequate sports facilities, and a consistent supply of learning materials. Reducing class sizes by training and deploying more teachers is also a key objective.
Addressing educational equity, APNU stated, “We will ensure all Guyanese have equitable access to quality education regardless of geography, social status, ethnicity, gender, or special education needs. Education must be available and affordable to all, and all must be able to take full opportunity.” Policies aimed at achieving this include improving the quality of education in rural and hinterland regions, providing free or affordable transportation for students, and supplying two nutritious meals per day to students at the lower school level.
APNU also promises a monthly stipend of $50,000 or more for students attending universities and technical/vocational institutions. Other proposed measures include increasing support for indigenous students, expanding adult education across regions, upgrading teachers’ housing, especially in the hinterland, to attract qualified educators, and providing inclusive education for persons with disabilities. Plans also include integrating guidance counsellors throughout the school system and updating school curricula to include life skills, civics, multicultural studies, and entrepreneurship.
Beyond education, the APNU manifesto outlines plans to reintroduce the Guyana Airways Corporation. The former state-owned airline ceased operations in 2001, and a subsequent attempt to revive it under the name “Guyana Air” also failed. Guyana has had no national flag carrier since. According to the party, the reintroduction of Guyana Airways is intended to reduce the cost of domestic air travel, “without jeopardising the profitability of private aviation operators.”
Additionally, APNU intends to introduce a light railway system in the country, once feasible.
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