The government has taken another major step in transforming its education system with the historic launch of the Guyana Stellar STEM Associate Degree in Education at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), with 62 students forming the programme’s inaugural cohort.
The programme STELLAR, which acronyms mean enhancing learning, leadership and rigour, is the first of its kind in the Caribbean and among the first such initiatives in the Southern Hemisphere.
It is designed to equip a new generation of educators with advanced knowledge and practical skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Minister of Education Sonia Parag described the initiative as part of a broader transformation of Guyana’s education system, moving beyond providing physical access to education towards ensuring students receive the quality and skills needed to compete globally.
“You are in both; you are part of history, but you are also part of our important history in education,” the minister stated.
Minister Parag said the programme is intended to produce educators who can deliver advanced STEM knowledge to thousands of students across Guyana, while encouraging them to become innovators and problem-solvers capable of contributing to the country’s development.
The initiative forms part of a US$100 million, 10-year investment by the ExxonMobil Foundation in STEM education in Guyana, announced earlier this year.
A major component of that investment will also see the establishment of a STEM Centre at the University of Guyana, expected to become a hub for innovation, research, collaboration and advanced STEM learning.
Director of CPCE, Tamashwar Budhoo, said the programme responds directly to the changing needs of Guyana’s economy, which is creating growing demand for knowledge, technical skills and innovation across sectors including energy, agriculture, construction, manufacturing and technology.
He said the focus is not simply on preparing teachers to pass on subject knowledge, but on developing educators capable of nurturing critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration and innovation among students.
President of the ExxonMobil Foundation, Alvin Abraham, emphasised that the initiative is ultimately about people and opportunity, noting that while talent exists in every community, access to quality education can determine whether that talent reaches its full potential.
Abraham said strengthening STEM education begins with strengthening educators, who will use hands-on learning, laboratory experiences and inquiry-based instruction to inspire students and prepare them for future opportunities.
For the 62 students now entering the programme, the launch marks more than the beginning of a course of study. They are being positioned as pioneers who will carry STEM knowledge into classrooms and communities across Guyana, helping to shape the skills and ambitions of generations to come.
This launch reflects the government’s wider commitment to building human capital and ensuring Guyanese are equipped to take advantage of the opportunities emerging from the country’s expanding and diversifying economy.