The Guyana government has begun recovering US$1.5 million from UK-based intermediary International Skill Development Corporation (ISDC) following the collapse of a scholarship program with the University of Staffordshire. Public Service Minister Zulfikar Ally confirmed the reimbursement process during parliamentary questioning on Friday, February 13, 2026.
The troubled scholarships, administered through the Guyana Online Academy for Learning (GOAL), involved more than 1,000 students. Minister Ally stated that partial payments have already been received, with the full amount expected to be refunded by the following week. The minister acknowledged he maintained “constant engagement” with relevant parties to ensure complete restitution.
Parliamentary proceedings revealed additional complications within the GOAL program. Minister Ally admitted that numerous students pursuing degrees through Indira Gandhi University had completed three years of study without receiving degree status updates. The ministry has sought intervention from the Indian High Commission to resolve these credentialing issues.
Regarding student attrition, Ally revealed that less than five percent of scholarship recipients had taken leaves of absence with intention to resume studies. The minister clarified refund policies, noting that universities only return payments if students withdraw before invoice issuance; otherwise, funds are credited toward alternative students.
The GOAL secretariat continues monitoring program graduates to track employment outcomes and program effectiveness. Despite these challenges, the Public Service Ministry has allocated GY$5.7 billion for the scholarship initiative in the 2026 national budget.