Migrant unit, grants and curriculum reforms rolled out to improve education access for migrant students

The Education Ministry is strengthening measures to improve access to schooling for migrant children amid concerns that some remain outside the formal education system.

This is according to Deputy Chief Education Officer Ritesh Tularam, who said the ministry has a dedicated unit focused on migrant education, tasked with improving access and providing tailored support.

The issue was raised at a recent stakeholder forum organised by the Diaspora Unit and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, where participants expressed concern that some school-aged migrant children were not attending school despite available services.

“I have noticed that there are lots of kids, particularly migrant kids out of school… I’m wondering about bridging that,” one participant said, while questioning how civil society and the private sector could assist with integration.

In response, Tularam said the ministry has developed learning materials and translated parts of the national curriculum into Spanish to support non-English-speaking students.

He added that outreach and training efforts are ongoing to help migrant families understand the importance of school attendance.

Tularam also noted that migrant families have access to government support programmes, including the “Because We Care” cash grant, school grants and uniform vouchers.

While acknowledging that some children remain out of school, he said the government’s focus is on ensuring that systems and resources are in place to support inclusion.