Georgetown, Guyana – March 9, 2025

For immediate release to all media houses

PRESS STATEMENT

Alliance For Change (AFC) Demands Full Accountability for GOAL Scholarship Scandal

The Alliance For Change (AFC) condemns the gross mismanagement and deception surrounding the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) programme and calls for a full independent investigation into the fraudulent arrangement with Staffordshire University and ISDC.

The recent scathing editorial by Stabroek News has exposed alarming gaps in transparency, oversight, and due diligence in the government’s handling of GOAL. The revelation that students were misled into enrolling in a non-existent Staffordshire University programme is not a simple administrative error—it is a national embarrassment and a betrayal of trust in a programme that was supposed to empower Guyanese through education.

Despite Staffordshire University explicitly denying any affiliation with GOAL, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s response on Thursday was both insufficient and unacceptable. Instead of taking responsibility, the VP downplayed the matter, deflected blame onto GOAL’s Director, and failed to provide any meaningful answers about:

Why GOAL engaged ISDC—a third-party entity instead of negotiating directly with Staffordshire University.

What due diligence was done to verify ISDC’s credibility before millions in taxpayer dollars were handed over.

How much money was paid to ISDC, and how much has been lost in this scandal.

What concrete steps will be taken to ensure affected students receive a recognized qualification without academic loss.

The Vice President’s assertion that “nothing is fake” directly contradicts Staffordshire University’s statement that “courses currently displayed on the GOAL Academy website, in association with ISDC, are not authorised by Staffordshire University.” This exposes a deep level of dishonesty and incompetence in the government’s administration of the programme.

Furthermore, Education Minister Priya Manickchand’s continued silence on the matter is deeply troubling. As the minister responsible for education, her failure to address the scandal only further erodes public confidence in GOAL and the wider education sector.

The AFC demands:

1. A full and independent investigation into the GOAL programme’s agreements with ISDC and other institutions to determine whether additional fraudulent arrangements exist.

2. A public disclosure of all financial transactions related to ISDC’s involvement, including how much the Government of Guyana paid to ISDC and what mechanisms were in place for oversight.

3. Immediate redress for affected students, including clear
alternative pathways to obtain recognized accreditation at no additional cost to them.

4. Accountability for those responsible, including disciplinary or legal action against officials who failed to conduct proper oversight and due diligence.

The GOAL programme was supposed to expand educational opportunities for Guyanese, not deceive them with fraudulent courses. The AFC will continue to demand full accountability and transparency in this matter, as the people of Guyana deserve better than evasion and dishonesty from their government.

END