The government will begin disbursing its “Because We Care” Cash Grant and the School Uniform and Supplies Grant for children in the public school system this week, the Ministry of Education announced on Saturday.
Payouts under the Ministry of Education programme are set to begin on Thursday, July 15, 2021.
In a statement, the Ministry of Education noted that the “Because We Care” grant is valued at $15,000 this year and the School Uniform and Supplies Grant is valued at $4,000, amounting to a total of $19,000 for each child in the public education system.
With approximately 172,000 students expected to benefit, a total of $3.2 billion will go towards children and families across Guyana.
The ministry, which is aiming to ensure that each child benefit by September, said that unlike last year, the School Uniform and Supplies Grant will not be given in the form of a voucher but rather as cash.
It explained that the government initiative is intended to provide assistance to families so that they can provide the necessary resources to their children so that they can not only remain in school but to also excel in their studies. ” The Government of Guyana has committed to increasing the Because We Care Cash Grant incrementally each year until it reaches $50,000,” it said, while noting that the School Uniform and Supplies Grant was increased last year from $2000 to $4000, representing a 100% increase.
According to the ministry, the schedule for distribution will be posted on the Ministry of Education’s Facebook page, the Ministry’s website and in the daily newspapers from today.
It advised, “Parents or guardians of children in the public school system from nursery to secondary level are to visit the respective schools on the scheduled date to uplift the grant. If a parent or guardian fails to uplift the grant on the scheduled date, they will be allowed to do so at a later date at the Department of Education for that Region or Education District.”
It continues: “This later date will be announced at the appropriate time but will be after the entire exercise is concluded so parents are encouraged to make every effort to attend on the scheduled dates.”
Parents or guardians are asked to have with them a valid form of identification when going to uplift the grant. The ministry said acceptable forms of identification are the National Identification Card, Driver’s Licence or Passport. Persons who do not possess any of these documents can still uplift the grant but their relationship with the child must be confirmed by a senior official in the community or the school’s Head Teacher.
“We encourage all parents and guardians to uplift the grants and use it in the best interest of their children as we work together to give those who will be the leaders of tomorrow the opportunity to be the best that they can be,” the statement added.
