Education Reform Could Disrupt Private Lessons Economy

Guyana considers scrapping NGSA placement exam
Education Minister Priya Manickchand announced a potential end to the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), citing the goal of universal secondary education. With plans to equalize education quality across all secondary schools, the Ministry is re-evaluating the need for high-stakes exams. While this marks progress for inclusive education, it could disrupt the booming private tutoring industry built around NGSA prep.

Caribbean Wins Exemption from U.S. Shipping Tariff Hike

PSC lauds continuation of normal trade conditions
The U.S. has exempted the Caribbean from new shipping tariffs that targeted Chinese-built vessels. The Private Sector Commission says this move ensures freight costs remain stable, preserving vital import/export flows for Guyana and CARICOM businesses.

Business Opportunities Based On Today’s Developments

SMALL ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITIES

1. Educational Content and Tutoring Services for Secondary Transition

Context: The Education Ministry is considering eliminating the NGSA, shifting focus to universal secondary education with greater equity in access and curriculum.

Opportunity: Develop educational content, tutoring services, and workshops for students and parents navigating the new system. There's also space for preparing students for early CSEC attempts, technical vocational education, or selective entry exams into high-demand schools.

Model: Online/offline hybrid tutoring, community-based education pods, or mobile learning centers.

2. Environmental Sanitation & Odour Control Services

Context: Residents are protesting an unregulated chicken pen in East Coast Demerara due to stench and health issues. EPA is under fire for lack of enforcement.

Opportunity: Offer localized odour control, poultry waste management, or composting services using biological or mechanical solutions. Position yourself as an EPA-compliant partner to small-scale livestock producers.

Model: Mobile service units, bundled monthly plans, or training and compliance kits for small farmers.

3. Reseller Support for Legal Starlink Installation & Training

Context: Starlink is cracking down on illegal resellers, leaving a gap for legal, value-added services.

Opportunity: Register as an official Starlink partner or independent tech contractor offering installations, equipment setup, and usage training—especially for hinterland and interior communities.

Model: Flat-rate installation services, bundled tech + training packages, or regional franchises.

MEDIUM ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITIES

1. Climate Intelligence and Infrastructure Risk Consulting

Context: UG launched a real-time coastal monitoring platform (G-CAS) with AI and satellite data.

Opportunity: Develop a consultancy using G-CAS to offer predictive flood risk modeling, drainage infrastructure audits, and coastal resilience planning to farms, real estate developers, municipalities, and insurers.

Model: B2B contracts, government consulting, bundled services with engineering firms.

2. Digitally-Enabled Poultry or Livestock Ventures

Context: High demand for poultry, but growing backlash due to poor waste management and environmental non-compliance.

Opportunity: Launch a digitally tracked, eco-compliant poultry operation that integrates air filtration, odor control, and waste-to-compost systems. Supply ethically sourced poultry to fast food chains and regional grocers.

Model: Mid-size mechanized farms with smart sensor integration, or co-ops using shared compliance systems.

3. Education Infrastructure Contracting & Smart School Technology

Context: 20 new secondary schools are being built in underserved regions with more to come.

Opportunity: Provide school construction, prefab classrooms, smart boards, solar-powered systems, or digital curriculum infrastructure.

Model: Public-private partnerships (PPPs), Ministry of Education tenders, or subcontracting to larger engineering firms.

LARGE ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITIES

1. Sustainable Coastal Infrastructure & Flood Resilience Development

Context: UG’s G-CAS platform highlights real-time flood risk; Government is prioritizing coastal protection under the Low Carbon Development Strategy.

Opportunity: Large-scale engineering firms can develop flood-resistant infrastructure, levees, drainage systems, or coastal wind/solar energy grids aligned with climate data outputs.

Model: Infrastructure PPPs, foreign development bank partnerships, long-term maintenance contracts.

2. Regional Agro-Processing and Manufacturing Hubs

Context: Vietnam is seeking agro-trade and manufacturing partnerships; China continues to invest in infrastructure and trade.

Opportunity: Establish a processing facility (e.g. rice bran oil, cassava flour, packaged poultry, or aquaculture products) aimed at export markets with inputs from Guyana and processing done under a CARICOM value chain model.

Model: Joint ventures with GO-Invest, Export-Ready Zone participants, or Vietnamese/Chinese tech integration.

3. AI & Data Sovereignty Platform Development for Caribbean Media & Government

Context: CDB and local leaders urge adoption of AI with a “sovereign data” model.

Opportunity: Build a Guyana-based AI data ecosystem using local media, geographic, and agricultural datasets to power secure, privacy-compliant tools for government, journalism, disaster response, and education.

Model: Subscription-based AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS), hosted on regional cloud infrastructure, with strategic partnerships for training and localization.

Side Hustle Ideas Based On Today’s Developments

1. Mobile Education Support & STEM Tutoring

Why it works: With the Ministry of Education considering phasing out NGSA and adding more technical/vocational options, parents and students will need help adapting to the changing system.

What to do: Offer weekend or evening tutoring in core subjects or help with CSEC/STEM exam prep. You can also offer support to parents navigating new placement systems.

Startup needs: A small investment in educational materials and a strong WhatsApp/Instagram presence to find clients. You can operate from home, online, or rotate locations in your community.

2. Legit Starlink Setup and Technical Support

Why it works: Starlink is new to Guyana and illegal resellers are being cracked down on. However, many rural and hinterland residents want help getting connected.

What to do: Become a trusted “tech person” in your area who helps with account setup, device installation, and user support. Position yourself as the go-to local help for legal Starlink installation and troubleshooting.

Startup needs: One-time training on Starlink’s system (available online), a vehicle or bike to move around, and some tech skills. Easy to operate evenings or weekends.

3. Drone Photography for Flood and Infrastructure Monitoring

Why it works: With the launch of UG’s real-time coastal climate monitoring platform, and growing interest in infrastructure and disaster readiness, there's demand for updated visuals and mapping.

What to do: Offer aerial photography and video services using a consumer-grade drone. Services could target farmers, contractors, insurance assessors, NDCs, and even media houses needing footage of floods or construction projects.

Startup needs: A drone (~USD $400–700), basic editing software, and a mobile phone. You can do 2–3 jobs per month on weekends with high-margin returns.