Financing for equity in higher education

1. Education resources to subnational governments

Introduction

Key financing indicators (UIS Data)

According to UIS, in 2024, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes was 26.43. Government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 37.59 in 2004 and 9.56 in 2012. Household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 47.93 in 2004, 48.41 in 2005, and 9.60 in 2012.

Tuition-free status

The Constitution of 1998 establishes the legal foundation for free tertiary education through Article 27, stating that "every citizen has the right to free education from nursery to university, as well as at non-formal institutions where opportunities for education and training are available."

Governance

The Ministry of Education (MoE) oversees all educational funding and policy. The budget of the Ministry encompasses a "Post-Secondary/Tertiary Education" programme that allocates subventions to the University of Guyana.

1. Education resources to subnational governments

There are no dedicated central-to-local transfer mechanisms for higher education. Guyana’s regional councils focus on local development and basic education; no block grants are allocated for universities at the regional level. All public university funding comes directly from the national treasury (through MoE/MoF) to the institutions.

2. Education resources to institutions

Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions

There is no funding for private universities when no public university is available; however, in 2025, the government announced it would partner with all private tertiary institutions in the country to ensure that no aspiring student is left behind.

Allocation and equity

The primary subsidy for the University of Guyana (UG) comes from the central government via the MOE and the Ministry of Finance. Since 2025, tuition at UG has been abolished for all students. No equity subsidy formula that allocates more government funding to any public university has been identified. The general subsidy is more aggregate, included in the national budget, and is intended to cover core operational costs, capital funding, salaries, and other expenses.

3. Education resources to students

Admission for vulnerable groups

No formal policies have been identified at the national level by the Ministry of Education; however, the UG has adopted policies to promote access and support for vulnerable groups. Although there are no legally mandated admission quotas for specific groups at the University of Guyana, the university implements a comprehensive Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity Policy that ensures outreach, support for students from vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities. This support includes not only curricula and educational materials but also social, psychological, emotional, and physical assistance as required by individual cases.

Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups

The Ministry of Public Service usually oversees the scholarship programmes, both national and international. Beneficiaries of fully funded Government of Guyana scholarships receive full tuition and allowances (for books, outfits, and travel), as well as compensation for any other associated costs. Recipients of donor-funded scholarships receive full or partial tuition, allowances, and accommodation, depending on the type of scholarship. Graduates are guaranteed job security through contracts that ensure employment within the public sector after completing their studies.

In the case of the GOAL, the Guyana Online Academy for Learning, launched in 2021, both the Ministry of Public Service and the Ministry of Education are involved. Through partnerships with several international universities, GOAL offers a variety of online academic and vocational programmes worldwide and aims to provide 20,000 scholarships by 2025. This programme is open to all, with no specific component targeting equity. However, there is a specific sub-programme (GROW) for students who did not complete secondary education.

The Ministry of Finance's Student Loan Agency offers loan programmes for bona fide Guyanese students at the University of Guyana. Students can receive one loan per programme of study, with a maximum duration of five years. Applicants must have lived in Guyana for at least 180 consecutive days before their first enrollment. No equity consideration has been identified.