WIN’s Barker blasts budget – says teachers neglected, schools under threat

Feb 04, 2026 News

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By Shania Williams

(Kaieteur News) – New We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Education, Dr. Mark Barker, on Monday launched a stinging critique of the education sector, accusing the government of failing to adequately support teachers and improve education delivery in the 2026 National Budget.

Delivering his maiden parliamentary contribution during the opening day of the budget debates at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Barker said the allocations fall short of addressing long-standing systemic problems affecting educators nationwide. “Mr. Speaker, no education system can rise above the quality, morale, and stability of its teachers. Yet, when we examine allocations related to the Teaching Service Commission and teacher management, we observe a glaring silence on several critical issues,” Barker told the House.

He outlined the concerns as: 1. Backlogs in promotions which affect pension and gratuity payments upon retirement 2. Delays in confirmations 3. Lack of succession planning for retiring educators 4. Absence of incentives for teachers in high-demand regions 5. No risk allowance for teachers Barker also noted that while the budget speaks extensively about digital education platforms and broadcast technologies, it fails to outline a clear programme for providing laptops to teachers and students. “Access to online content is meaningless without access to individual devices, and that gap remains unaddressed in the budget speech,” he said. Violence against teachers Dr. Barker also raised concerns about recent incidents of students attacking teachers, calling for stricter measures to address the issue. “Our children are being bullied by their peers, and what is most alarming is that we have reached a point where students have attacked teachers. Yet, Mr. Speaker, no measure has been considered in the 2026 budget to address this atrocity in our schools,” he said.

He added that teachers are already struggling with low salaries and the absence of risk allowances. “Now they have to endure physical attacks by learners. If strict measures are not implemented, this heinous act will continue to spread like wildfire, consuming our schools,” Barker added. Criticism of GOAL programme Barker also criticised the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme, describing it as poorly managed and lacking clear outcomes.

“The GOAL programme was sold to this nation as a transformational investment in education. Instead, it has become a symbol of poor planning, weak oversight, and unacceptable uncertainty for thousands of Guyanese,” he said. He noted the absence of clear reporting on completion rates, accreditation standards, and employment outcomes. “Students have been left in limbo, institutions have changed without explanation, and this House has received no comprehensive impact assessment despite billions being allocated,” Barker said. Dr. Barker also questioned the effectiveness of the National School Feeding Programme, suggesting that funds may be better directed to parents.

According to Barker, approximately $7 billion is allocated to feed about 115,000 students, which equates to roughly $61,000 per child annually. “With the number of reported concerns about the quality of meals being provided, it may be better to give parents that additional $61,000 per year,” he said. Barker further argued that the budget failed to address key infrastructure problems, including overcrowded classrooms, unhygienic washroom facilities, pit latrines, non-nutritious meals, lack of furniture, lack of teacher incentives, and the presence of animals such as snakes and cows on school compounds, along with bat and pigeon infestations. “Education delivery cannot be reduced to salaries and chalk. It requires safe physical spaces, functional utilities, adequate classroom capacity, and properly resourced school administrations,” he said. Region Three education concerns Focusing on Region Three, Barker highlighted several challenges affecting education delivery, including overcrowded classrooms, inadequate sanitation facilities, flood-prone school compounds, and delayed maintenance works. He noted that some schools, including Parfaite Harmonie Primary, are forced to rotate classes due to space constraints, while others, such as the newly constructed block at Nismes Secondary School, reportedly have insufficient or non-functional washroom facilities.

“These issues raise serious public health concerns, particularly for female students,” Barker said. He added that Volume Three of the Estimates does not clearly identify which Region Three schools will be rehabilitated or expanded in 2026. Turning to agriculture in Region Three, Barker said farmers continue to face challenges including poorly maintained drainage channels, inconsistent irrigation during dry periods, and limited access to farm-to-market roads, especially in riverain communities. “When drainage fails, crops fail. When crops fail, incomes collapse. And when incomes collapse, children are pulled from school,” he said. “Agriculture cannot be treated as a standalone sector—it is directly linked to education attendance, household stability, and regional health outcomes.” In conclusion Barker said, “while the Budget repeatedly affirms the importance of education and speaks eloquently about opportunity and world-class learning, it falls short on clarity, specificity, and measurable outcomes. I urge this House to ensure that the allocations we approve translate into visible classrooms, functional schools, empowered teachers, and prepared learners for tomorrow.”

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• education, Mark Barker, neglected, teachers, We Invest in Nationhood

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