AFC Leader Nigel Hughes Vows to Prioritize Education if Elected on September 1
Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – As Guyana experiences rapid economic growth fueled by the oil and gas sector, Alliance for Change (AFC) leader Nigel Hughes has outlined a bold education-focused agenda should his party win the upcoming September 1 general and regional elections.
Speaking at a press briefing, Hughes declared that education would be the AFC’s number one priority, calling it the most effective tool to lift the majority of Guyanese out of poverty.
“The economy for the next 15 to 20 years is going to be driven by oil and gas,” Hughes said. “But our people can’t benefit unless they are trained—skilled or semi-skilled.”
Citing Ministry of Education data that shows 48% of students entering secondary school are not completing it, Hughes proposed regional vocational training institutions to bridge that gap. These institutions would:
- Train participants for 10–12 months in oil, gas, and construction-related skills
- Provide certification at completion
- Pay stipends during training to support families
- Offer job placement or start-up support for entrepreneurship
- Include technical and financial management support for new business owners
On the academic front, Hughes promised that top-performing students would be sent to elite international universities with fully paid tuition and boarding, with hopes—but no obligation—that they would return home to contribute.
“We must produce the best, train the best, and support them. They’ll come back,” he added optimistically.
For those pursuing studies locally, Hughes committed to increased investment in the University of Guyana, particularly in research areas crucial to national development.
The AFC’s approach contrasts with the current administration’s policy by focusing on short-cycle certification, entrepreneurship, and international academic exposure, all while targeting the systemic issue of dropout.
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