The president launched the programme in 2001 after several parents had complained that they found it difficult to meet their children’s needs to allow them to attend school. This year the budgetary allocation will go beyond vulnerable children to ensure that each child attending school in Guyana receives at least one uniform, a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.
Previously, the budget targeted 10% of schools along the coast while all children in the hinterland and riverain areas were catered for.
GINA said the first budgetary allocation of $31M was made in 2002 which benefited more than 10,000 children.
Since then the sum has been increasing in an effort to facilitate thousands of vulnerable children.
In 2009 an allocation of $55M was made which benefited over 36, 000 children. Last year as well as in the preceding years, the assistance was given in the form of vouchers, worth $1,500 each that were redeemable for either school uniforms or other school-related items.
According to GINA Jagdeo made this announcement after a meeting on irrigation, governmental assistance and ongoing infrastructural drainage and irrigation works.
