Dr. David Hinds Calls for Mandatory Civic Education to Bolster National Identity Amid Border Dispute

By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – As the territorial controversy with Venezuela continues to dominate Guyana’s legal and foreign policy agenda at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Political Scientist and Member of Parliament Dr. David Hinds is advocating for a radical shift in the national curriculum.

Speaking at an APNU press conference on Friday, Dr. Hinds proposed the implementation of mandatory civic education across every tier of the Guyanese school system—from nursery to the University of Guyana.

A Curriculum for National Consciousness

Dr. Hinds argued that a lack of structured, sustained education has left a gap in the public’s understanding of national identity and the current political landscape. He proposed that no student should be allowed to graduate from any level of education without completing at least two core courses in civics.

“At the level of the school, from nursery to university, a student must not graduate without taking at least two courses on civics,” Dr. Hinds stated. He emphasized that these courses must specifically address:

• The Venezuelan Territorial Controversy: Ensuring every citizen understands the historical and legal basis of Guyana’s sovereignty.
• CARICOM Identity: Positioning Guyana within the broader Caribbean Community.
• Historical Awareness: Teaching the history of Guyana as a sovereign nation.

“Essequibo Belongs to Guyana”

Central to Dr. Hinds’ proposal is the reinforcement of territorial integrity as a core tenet of national consciousness. He pointed out that while patriotic songs and slogans have historically resonated with the public, they are no substitute for a formal, organized educational framework.

“This is Essequibo—it belongs to Guyana. Every child should be saying that,” Dr. Hinds remarked. He cited Venezuela’s long-standing use of repetitive messaging in their own public education systems as an example of how a nation can successfully unify its population around a singular territorial narrative.

Leveraging Modern Platforms

Beyond the classroom, the Political Scientist urged the government to adopt a more aggressive and modern approach to public awareness. He noted that while historical efforts have been sporadic, the government now has the tools to reach every citizen through social media.

Dr. Hinds called for a continuous, structured campaign across digital platforms to educate and unify the population. He believes that by utilizing social media effectively, the state can maintain a constant state of awareness regarding critical national issues, ensuring that the defense of Guyana’s borders remains a shared priority for all generations.

As the case at the ICJ moves forward, Dr. Hinds maintains that it is not too late to activate these educational tools to safeguard Guyana’s future and reinforce the identity of its people.