Education is compulsory for children aged five to fourteen. About 65% of elementary school children continue to secondary school. The literacy rate is high. Guyana has two technical schools and a university, the University of Guyana. Schools are under-funded and lack adequate facilities, equipment and supplies. Many qualified teachers have left Guyana. Private Guyanese organizations and individuals donate basic supplies and arrange for foreign teachers to tutor students in Guyana during summer holidays. | ||
New Guyanese students in Canada find many differences at first.
They may not be used to libraries full of books, laboratories full of science equipment,
gyms full of sporting gear, up-to-date computer labs and opportunities to become involved
in a range of extra-curricular activities. In 1976 the government of Guyana made education free from kindergarten to university. Secondary school students have three choices: secondary high, which is mainly academic; multilateral, which is academic and technical; or community high, a vocational school. After the secondary school level, the academic students can choose to attend university. |
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As well, there are trade schools such as the Government
Technical Institute, the Guyana Industrial Trading Centre and the Carnegie School for
Home Economics. The government runs adult education programs aimed at upgrading skills to help adults get the necessary qualifications for entrance to the University of Guyana or to universities overseas. |