Govt’s GOAL scholarship programme changing lives

The Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme has seen a massive success, with thousands of lives changing for the better.

The brainchild of His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the programme, which came on stream early 2021, is executed by the Ministries of Public Service and Education. It is geared at equipping citizens with tools for self and economic development.

Several awardees from various regions told DPI recently, that the scholarship has afforded them the opportunity for self-development, and has begun changing their personal and economic trajectory.

Rohini McLall of Region Five, is pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Analytics.

“This really benefits me because I have always had a passion for finance and the business sector. My father is a small business man, so this really helps me to assist his business as well as further my education to further myself. I will be the first person to graduate from a college after I would’ve completed this course. And I am very grateful for the Ministry of Public Service along with the Ministry of Education for developing this initiative and allowing me, as well as many others to benefit from this.”

Tanya Mohabir, who hails from Region Six, is currently pursuing her Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management. She said the initiative benefits all citizens of varying age.

“It means a lot of things. One, I get to earn a higher qualification set, other than my bachelor’s degree that I have currently and it also allows me to give back to the country in a more meaningful way especially with climate change and climate variability overwhelming Guyana at this point. This is definitely an initiative given by the Government of Guyana that can benefit, not only young people, but everyone across the board.”

Shazad Sookram, a medical practitioner who resides in the heart of Georgetown said the course enhances his competency and complements his role in the health care sector.

“The GOAL scholarship is very, very important because many of us cannot afford to do advanced studies. I have done my degree but I couldn’t afford to have done my masters. So, the GOAL scholarship gave me that opportunity to go further to increase my knowledge, increase my skills and competency and it gives me more opportunities to advance myself.”

Another awardee, Arita Lowe, teacher at the Wismar Hill Primary School in Linden, said “It means a great lot to me. Even though I am in the profession, I am learning a great lot more in the different approaches, different strategies in order to help these children in the school system.”

Fresh out of high school, Eve George, who resides at Parika, Region Three, is currently pursuing a Bachelor in Computer Applications. She said GOAL affords citizens the chance to fulfil their dreams academically.

“After I finished high school, I realised that I’ve become so fascinated with computer studies even though I had pursued business studies in my high school years. So, when GOAL came through with all of these programmes, I was immediately looking for something computer related. I think it is extremely important, it is giving young people so many opportunities to fulfil their dreams, follow on their goals and so forth. I think it is extremely important. I am very grateful to GOAL for giving me this opportunity, it’s a dream come true for me.”

“I am really thankful for this opportunity. The more you get an educated population it is better for the nation because the more skillset that you have in order for you to go out into the fields in whatever you are trained to do … So, I think this is a good initiative and, in a few years to come with these scholarships that are being given out, I think people will be will secure,” says Jamal Sepio.

Some 6,000 Guyanese are currently pursuing studies at a number of reputable universities in various parts of the world, including India, Germany and the Caribbean.

Persons interested in applying for the government’s scholarship can do so on the Guyana Online Academy for Learning website.