NON-STATE ACTORS IN EDUCATION
2.2 Non-state education provision
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
- Early childhood care and education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Primary and secondary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Tertiary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
3.3 Supplementary private tutoring
The 2014 Education Bill regulates providers at all education levels, from pre-primary to secondary education. A private educational institution is defined as an educational institution provided and maintained by any person or authority other than the Government.
2.1 State education provision
State schools
In Guyana, the education system is divided into nursery, primary (6 years, from the ages 5 to 11) and secondary (ages 11 to 18) education. Compulsory education lasts 12 years from nursery to lower secondary level (ages 3-15).
Non-state managed, state schools
No information was found.
Non-state funded, state schools
No information was found.
2.2 Non-state education provision
Independent, non-state schools
Private schools are owned, managed, and financed by private actors, including individuals, legal persons, corporations, and non-governmental organisations. Information on private educational institutions is limited as these schools are not represented in formal education and not covered in the Education Statistics Reports.
State-funded (government-aided), non-state schools
No information was found.
Contracted, non-state schools
No information was found.
2.3 Other types of schools
Homeschooling
No information was found on homeschooling in the legislation. However, the Ministry of Education provides resources for homeschoolers from pre-school to secondary education.
Market contracted (Voucher schools)
No information was found.
Unregistered/Unrecognised schools
No information was found.
The Ministry of Education is responsible for the governance and regulation of all education institutions, from pre-primary to tertiary level, while the Ministry of Social Protection is responsible for Early Childhood and Day Care centres.
At a regional level, Regional Education Departments are responsible for the management and supervision of education in each region. The Chief Education Officer and/or staff of the Regional Education Department are responsible for the authorisation and inspection of private educational institutions.
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
Both non-state and public childcare and development services are regulated by the 2011 Childcare and Development Services Act and 2016 Regulations on the Childcare and Development Service Act.
Registration and approval: Any individual or legal person (including companies, corporations, and non-governmental organisations) that aims to establish childcare and development services (ECD) must apply for registration with the Childcare and Protection Agency. All applicants must comply with the minimum service standards, which include premises, group size and adult-child ratio requirements. Upon application, the Agency determines the maximum number of children who may enrol at a specific centre. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Licence: See Multi-level regulations.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: According to the Value-Added Tax Act, private educational institutions are exempt from the Value Added Tax. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: The 2016 Regulations on the Childcare and Development Service Act establish the learning standards that all ECD providers must comply with. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Teaching profession: All staff employed in ECD service facilities must possess training and certification in early childhood care, education and development. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Policies for vulnerable groups: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Reporting requirements: According to the 2011 Childcare and Development Services Act, ECD providers are required to keep information records on attending children at all times.
Inspection: Authorised government officers may enter and inspect the premises of any non-state day-care facility to determine whether standards are being met.
Child assessment: According to the 2016 Regulations on the Childcare and Development Service Act, all ECD providers must comply with certain development achievements.
Sanctions: See Multi-level regulations.
Registration and approval: See Multi-level regulations.
Licence: See Multi-level regulations.
WASH: All private education institutions must have adequate sanitary facilities and proper drinking water facilities and comply with the same health and sanitary requirements established by the public health authorities for public institutions.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: See Multi-level regulations.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: See Multi-level regulations.
Textbooks and learning materials: No information was found.
Teaching profession: See Multi-level regulations.
Corporal punishment: According to the 2014 Education Bill, the Minister may make regulations on the discipline of students and instruments that may be used for corporal punishment in private educational institutions (Art. 123 b). Corporal punishment is legal in public education institutions.
Other safety measures and COVID-19: No information was found.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Policies for vulnerable groups: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
School board: See Multi-level regulations.
Reporting requirements: See Multi-level regulations.
School inspection: No information was found.
Student assessment: No information was found.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions: See Multi-level regulations.
Registration and approval: According to the National Accreditation Council of Guyana (NAC-G), all higher education institutions (HEIs) must be registered in order to operate in Guyana. Providers can be individuals, a body of persons, or institutions that are registered as legal entities. All applications must be accompanied by a prescribed application fee and the required documentation to ensure their compliance with the seven areas of assessment: Legal, Policy and Regulatory Requirements, Governance and Administration, Quality Management System, Resource Management, Teaching-Learning Process, and Review and Continuous Improvements. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Licence: Upon approval and payment of the registration fee, HEIs are issued a Certificate of Registration for a period of three years after which they can apply for re-registration. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: According to the Value-Added Tax Act private educational institutions are exempt from the Value Added Tax. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: No information was found.
Teaching profession: No information was found regarding the qualification requirements of teaching, administrative or supporting staff. However, providers must submit information on the qualifications of all staff members and the courses they are responsible for.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Board: See Multi-level regulations.
Reporting requirements: See Multi-level regulations.
Inspection: No information was found.
Assessment: No information was found.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions: No information was found.
3.2 Multi-level regulations
This section covers regulations on the establishment, operation, and quality of non-state institutions from pre-primary to secondary education level.
Registration and approval: According to the 2014 Education Bill, all educational institutions established by an individual, partnership, company or NGO are subject to state approval. All providers must submit an application to the Ministry of Education accompanied by the prescribed fee and required documentation. Once the application is submitted, the premises are inspected to assess their suitability for educational purposes. The Ministry of Education may determine the maximum number of students to be enrolled in the educational institution. All private educational institutions must possess a general liability insurance policy to be authorised for establishment.
Licence: Once approval for establishment has been granted, private education institutions are added to the Private Institutions Register and issued a permit for a period of three academic years. A permit may be renewed for another 3 years if the provider submits an application for renewal and the minimum requirements are met.
Taxes and subsidies: According to the Value-Added Tax Act, private educational institutions are exempt from the Value Added Tax.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: All private schools must follow the national curriculum and comply with the non-academic standards.
Teaching profession: According to the 2014 Education Bill, all teachers employed in private education institutions must possess at least the same minimum educational qualifications that are required for teachers in public schools. If they do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, the Chief Education Officer may prohibit the teacher from being employed in a private educational institution. All schools must submit the names and qualifications of all staff members to the Ministry on an annual basis.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Board: Private school owners have management autonomy. They may appoint a board to assist and advise on the management and governance of the institution and a Parent-Teacher Association.
Reporting requirements: The Minister, Chief Education officer, or any authorised person may enter the premises of a private educational institution during school hours to inspect the facilities and verify its compliance with the regulations.
Sanctions: The Ministry of Education may revoke a private school's permit if it no longer complies with the Education Bill and requirements for authorisation. Proprietors may also voluntarily request for their permit to be revoked.
3.3 Supplementary private tutoring
No information was found.
Financial operation and quality
No information was found.
No information was found.
