Guyana Learning Channel
{{Short description|Guyanese television channel}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Guyana Learning Channel
| logo =
| logo_size =
| logo_alt =
| image =
| caption =
| launch_date = {{start date and age|2011|4|1}}
| closed_date =
| picture_format = 480i (NTSC)
| language = English
| network =
| owner = Guyana Learning Channel Trust (Ministry of Education)
| country = Guyana
| area = National
| headquarters = Georgetown
| former_names = ETBS
| replaced =
| sister_channels = GLC Jr., GLC Elementary, GLC Teen, GLC Plus, GLC Discover, GLC Elevate
| timeshift_service =
| website = https://guyanalearningchannel.com
| terr_serv_1 = UHF
| terr_chan_1 =
}}
The Guyana Learning Channel (GLC) is a network of six digital educational television channels and one analog in Guyana owned by the Guyana Learning Channel Trust, which, in turn, is owned by the Ministry of Education. The channels broadcast mainly educational programs; feature films are also broadcast in prime time, followed by a repeat of the daytime schedule.{{cite web|url=https://education.gov.gy/en/index.php/media2/news-events/6496-guyana-learning-channel-tv-program-guide|website=education.gov.gy|title=Guyana Learning Channel TV Program Guide!|access-date=2025-03-24}}
History
The Ministry of Education announced the creation of GLC on September 16, 2010,{{cite news |title=Gov’t to set up 24-hour Learning Channel |url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2010/09/16/news/guyana/gov%E2%80%99t-to-set-up-24-hour-learning-channel/ |work=Starbroek News}} and launched it on April 1, 2011, initially with the bulk of its programming coming from abroad, being criticized for the lack of relevant local content.{{cite news |title=The Learning Channel? |url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2011/06/20/opinion/political-analysis/the-learning-channel/ |work=Starbroek News |date=June 20, 2011}} A five-year contract with Television Guyana was signed in 2010 to carry the signal nationwide by satellite.{{cite news |title=TVG got $185M contract for Learning Channel |url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2013/08/22/news/guyana/tvg-got-185m-contract-for-learning-channel/ |work=Starbroek News}} Around May, its signal expanded to Berbice on channel 3, fed by satellite, prone to periodic interruptions.
Beginning in June 2016, the channel started carrying "programmes of national interest", among them being agricultural programs.{{cite news |title=Learning channel to broadcast programmes of national interest |url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2016/06/12/news/guyana/learning-channel-broadcast-programmes-national-interest/ |work=Starbroek News}} As of 2013, it had owned 20 satellite dishes, 16 dish stands, 17 antennas, 17 receivers and installation by means of nearly $7 million coming from TVG.{{cite news |title=Learning Channel purchased $7M in equipment, services from TVG |url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2013/08/08/news/guyana/learning-channel-purchased-7m-in-equipment-services-from-tvg/ |work=Stabroek News |date=August 8, 2013}}
In 2020, GLC's coverage area in the hinterland increased significantly, enabling its wide coverage in areas with limited internet reach.{{cite web|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2020/09/15/news/guyana/learning-channel-filling-gap-for-students-without-internet-access/|title=Learning Channel filling gap for students without internet access|website=Stabroek News|access-date=2025-03-24}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2020/09/29/news/guyana/education-minister-in-hinterland-outreach/|title=Education Minister in hinterland outreach|website=Stabroek News|access-date=2025-03-24}} From April 2021, it was made available in Region Nine.{{cite web|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2021/04/04/news/guyana/learning-channel-now-accessible-in-region-nine-schools/|title=Learning Channel now accessible in Region Nine schools|website=Stabroek News|access-date=2025-03-24}}
In June 2021, the channel premiered Whiz Kids to prepare Grade Six students for the National Assessment.{{cite web|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2021/06/27/news/guyana/learning-channel-launches-whiz-kids-game-show-to-boost-ngsa-preparations/|title=Learning Channel launches ‘Whiz Kids’ game show to boost NGSA preparations|website=Stabroek News|access-date=2025-03-23}} On September 16, 2023, the network premiered The Amazing World of Cho, a local animated series featuring a girl from the hinterland.{{cite web|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2023/09/17/news/guyana/learning-channel-debuts-the-amazing-world-of-cho/|title=Learning Channel debuts “The Amazing World of Cho”|website=Stabroek News|access-date=2025-03-24}}
Network
- Georgetown: channel 28
- Port Kaituma: channel 10
- Essequibo Coast: channel 10
- Mabaruma: channel 3
- Bartica: channel 3
- Orealla: channel 10
- Corentyne: channels 3 and 24
- New Amsterdam: channel 3
- Linden: channel 10
- Kwakwani: channel 10
- Ituni: channel 3
- Lethem: channel 5
- Annai: channel 5
- Karasabai: channel 3
- Aishalton: channel 3
- Mahdia: channel 3
Criticism and controversies
=Lack of local programming=
Since the beginning, GLC was heavily dependent on foreign programming, with its local output being heavily limited. In its first few weeks on air, such output largely consisted of brief segments, such as one where schoolchildren sang Guyanese patriotic songs. The channel at the time also lacked efficient methods of contacting, such as a lack of website and phone number.{{cite web|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2011/07/18/opinion/letters/guyana-learning-channel-needs-local-content-pizzazz/|title=Guyana Learning Channel needs local content, pizzazz|website=Stabroek News|access-date=2025-03-24}}
=Quality of local programming=
On the night of September 24, 2014, a program about maths was criticized in a letter to Stabroek News where the teacher used a flip chart which, according to the complaint, failed to convey its subject matter effectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2014/09/30/opinion/letters/learning-channel-maths-programme-effective/|title=Learning Channel maths programme was not effective|website=Stabroek News|access-date=2025-03-24}}
=Swearing controversy=
The channel was put into hot water by Guyanese netizens on October 12, 2020, after airing a video called "English Abbreviations", in which the swear word fuck (as in the expression "what the fuck") was repeated eight times.{{cite web|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2020/10/15/opinion/editorial/intolerable/|author=Stabroek News|title=Intolerable|website=Stabroek News|access-date=2025-03-23}} The channel apologized for the airing of the video and an investigation was launched.{{cite web|url=https://inewsguyana.com/investigation-launched-into-inappropriate-broadcast-on-learning-channel/|title=Investigation launched into inappropriate broadcast on Learning Channel|website=INews Guyana|access-date=2025-03-23}}