Dear Editor,
The Ministry of Education notes the letter written by Mr. Mervyn Williams and carried in the Saturday, October 8, 2022, edition of the Stabroek News and rejects the mischievous contention that this matter is evidence of contempt for the indigenous people of Guyana, particularly towards our Wai-Wai brothers and sisters. The letter seeks to address the non-payment of the Government’s Because We Care Cash Grant to the children of Masakenari, a village located in Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine.
The Ministry acknowledges that the Grant has not yet been paid in this community and we humbly apologize to the parents and children of Masakenari. It is the only village in all of Guyana that has not yet received the Grant, Editor, and there are reasons for that which will be explained. Editor, during August 2022, no flights were willing to fly to the community due to bad weather except through the Guy-ana Defence Force. However, the GDF had indicated that their aircraft was under repairs and will most likely be fit for flying in October 2022. Other options were explored through other aviation service providers, however, they too declined due to bad weather while some could not have accommodated our team due to overbooking.
This information was also fed to the representative of the Auditor General’s Office who must accompany our team to observe the distribution process. The first flight that went into the community arrived yesterday, but that plane too was filled leaving no space for our team. However, based on the guidance given, the Ministry’s team should be able to fly into the community within a week to deliver the Cash Grant to the residents and learners of Masakenari which is rightfully theirs. We wish to offer our sincerest apology to the children and parents of the village. However, it must be understood clearly that the delay was not due to negligence, unwillingness nor as stated by Mr. Williams, a show of contempt for indigenous people.
We continue to stand resolute and ready to deliver to all Guyanese people an improved education sector that addresses equity, equality and quality complete with all our services and benefits that each citizen has a right to enjoy.
Sincerely,
Murtland Haley
The Public Relations
Department
Ministry of Education
