This week we asked stakeholders at the University of Guyana which issues they wanted to see addressed in the elections campaign.

Photos and interviews by Thandeka Percival and Rae Wiltshire

Renick Alleyne

`Education and jobs for young people are my main concern. How many young people are unemployed? How many persons graduate UG each year and have no job? How many jobs are willing to pay you for your certificate? Several persons graduate and have to get a job that doesn’t pay for the certificate. Several UG valedictorians have graduated and been unable to find jobs.

It’s all good to say you are investing in education but what happens after persons have education? We’ve had the no child left behind policy which to me had many students graduating without gaining an education or job skills. That’s not good enough

(David) Granger has promised to bring back National Service which prepares you for the working world; a lot of the teaching at UG is not necessary for the real world, we need that real world preparation to link graduates with appropriate jobs.’

Samuel Thompson –Public Management

`My main issue is poverty. I would like to see attempts being made to help people who are trying to make a living. They try, sometimes working day and night but are only able to meet a certain point. Sometimes persons send their children to bed at night then spend the night crying because they have to think about how they will eat tomorrow.

I need a government that feels compassion for these people.

People must be able to live. People often have jobs where the money earned can’t sustain them. That is not development. I need a government that is focused on developing the country and not themselves. It is easy when you are in power to develop yourself and harder to spend your energy developing the country. I need a government that will make the harder choice.

I’m personally not really following the campaigns because I don’t really trust that any of the politicians will do much. Even if the opposition gets into power it takes time to make changes. I want to see a progressive plan, I want to see someone who knows it will take time to improve this country.’

 Jonelle Cornette- Environmental Science

`I would like to see socio-economic stability and improvements in the environmental sector.

I’m hoping for a better future as we move forward. I need a government that is not just saying there will be changes but one with an actual vision.

We must have a clear plan for equality within the growing population so that Guyanese can have pride in their country. ‘

Ronnell Griffith – International Relations

`I believe there is need for change, the level of corruption is too high and our standards too low.

For example here at UG it is frustrating and exhausting knowing that the level of education is low. We need improved standards in this and many other sectors; such as security.

We can’t depend on the Police Force. We need better protection because we as taxpayers pay their salary.

We also need opportunities for youth both in sports and academics. The government I want will put more emphasis and funding into alternative educational opportunities. Some people might have skills even though they are not book smart so there must be programmes for their development.’

 Claudette Bagot – International Relations

`I will be voting for a change. Right now there seems to be opportunities only for a certain strata of people. There is a lot of discrimination based on race and identity.

I want to be able to look for a job without my last name mattering. Too many times a Singh will get a job over a Bagot or Smith simply because of their name.

I want a country where ethnicity doesn’t matter or the degree to which it matters is very low.

Too many young people are unemployed. Create more jobs for young people; remove Public Servants from contracts and raise the salary of the Public Service. This will reduce corruption and delinquency and win my vote.’

 Chaves Greaves

`I would like to see a progressive Guyana, one that is headed in a direction rather than a stagnant country. This direction must be one of development where different resources are being developed for exportation. That is how a country develops through developing its resources and exportation.

I want a country where all Guyanese are equal and are given equal opportunities. I would also like to see the crime rate drop.’

Keisha Alana Cummings – Public Management

`I will be voting for a change. I will be voting for young people to have proper jobs. I don’t want when you come out of UG the only job you can get is that of a security guard. We even need a better university which offers better pay so as to attract better lecturers.

I am a full time student yet my classes start at four in the afternoon and I’m here sometimes as late as ten. That’s not good enough.

I will also be voting for non-victimisation. I worked in a company where I faced victimisation for doing the right thing, just doing my job.

As I see it now the only option I have is to leave this country if there is no change.’

 Tamika Cooke – Marketing

`I will be voting for free education at every level for every Guyanese. I also hope to see both the public and private sector offering more opportunities for meaningful internships. Students need an opportunity to learn skills so that they are better equipped to take care of themselves and family. Companies should see these internships as a necessary part of their corporate social responsibility and Government should offer tax incentives to make companies willing to offer them.’

Pamela Mason – Masters in Education

‘I am going to vote because I want to see national unity become a reality in this country.
I want to see people be treated with respect and fairness.
I no longer want to be in a situation where I am just working and can’t enjoy the fruits of my labour. I am voting not for colour or race but for change so that my grandchildren can grow with respect and love for everybody and not be selfish creatures.’

Iyanna Williams-Masters in Education

`I am voting for a Guyana where education is a main focus and can be free. I am also voting for a country where development is seen as more than the provision of necessities. I would like to see something new, different and out of the box.
I don’t believe that building schools and roads should be considered development, those are things any country should have. We need more. I need people to see themselves as Guyanese not Afro-Guyanese or indo-Guyanese or Chinese.
We need to forget about where our ancestors came from, we were born in Guyana and we need to better develop Guyana.’