Guyana’s school dropout rates far below region’s average

Despite school dropout rates being over 20 percent and higher in the Caribbean region, when compared to the average rates in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Guyana has recorded a remarkable two per cent dropout rate. The disclosure comes after a recent study done by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) whose data suggested that countries like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti and Barbados are prone to high dropout rates. The IDB study suggests that alcohol and drug abuse, early and/or unprotected sex, low academic performance, school desertion, crime, delinquency and violence are all examples of what is known today as risky behaviour, which may also result in school dropout. IDB noted that the Caribbean region has one of the highest incidences of HIV/AIDS, and one of the highest incidences of violence worldwide. As a result, prevention and control of risky behaviour among young people has become a fundamental component of the development agenda of governments in the region. However, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand said that Guyana has actually been doing better than most of the Caribbean in relation to dropout rates. According to the latest statistics, which covers the period between 1995 and 2013, Guyana is leading the way in low school dropout rates in the region. The data released by the Ministry shows that in the last 20 years Guyana has reduced the proportion of children dropping out at the general secondary level by more than 75 percent. School dropout rates managed to decrease even as student enrollment in General Secondary Schools have increased by more than 30,000. The official statement provided an insight into the reasons for Guyana’s reduction in school dropouts. “A far smaller proportion of students drop out here than in the Caribbean average, and a far smaller proportion drops out now than before,” stated the Education Ministry. Males and females enrolled at the primary level respectively saw dropout rates stand at six and seven percent. At the general secondary level, the dropout rate amounted to two percent. These rates were achieved, in the Ministry’s view, by efforts to reduce and in some cases the complete removal of risk factors which lead to high dropout rates. The release went on to explain that the attainment of universal primary education and the provision of 90 percent access to secondary education by constructing more schools and classrooms, building and providing dormitory facilities have allowed student to have more access to schools. This, coupled with the provision of transportation to students – especially those in the hinterland and deep riverain communities, has allowed for more access to schools. These provisions also give students a sense of safety and inclusion within their educational institutions. Reduced dropout rate is also attributed to the Ministry’s expansion of Art programmes where most secondary schools are now offering one or more subjects in Art, Sports or Physical Education. According to the Ministry these programmes cater for a wide variety of interest which has resulted in more students completing their secondary education. Students are therefore able to receive formal certification one of the many Technical Vocation Centres established across the regions of Guyana. This, the Ministry says, has contributed significantly to the country’s ability to retain students so that they could complete their secondary education. While the Ministry highlighted the steps implemented to reduce school dropout rates, it also acknowledged that there is still more work to be done. It called on private and public stakeholders to further assist in lowering these costs.