The Ministry of Education today announced an initiative to provide grants to teachers across the country to assist with procuring classroom resources; the aim being to bridge educational disparities.
Under this programme, teachers will receive grants on a per-child basis every term. Schools located along the coast will be allocated $4,000 per child, while those in the hinterland will receive $5,500 per child.
According to the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, this initiative is the result of the many complaints received over the years from teachers who have stated they were not given adequate resources to deliver a child- friendly classroom.
“School supplies were usually bought in bulk and teachers complained that they either got things they didn’t need or because of the procurement process … involved in obtaining these materials, the goods took too long to arrive”, she said.
Manickchand noted that the distribution of these grants will allow teachers to acquire the necessary materials needed to directly benefit their unique teaching methods. From janitorial and office supplies to materials for outdoor activities, educators will have the flexibility to tailor their classrooms to suit their students’ needs.
The minister emphasised the transformative potential of this programme while noting that this initiative is expected to promote creativity and innovation in the classroom, as teachers can now invest in supplies that directly benefit their unique teaching methods.
Additionally, the increased resources allocated to schools are anticipated to result in vibrant and well-maintained classrooms, significantly enhancing the overall educational experience for students, it was posited.
A meeting was held with the Head teachers of schools across Region Three today after which the grants will begin to roll out to each region.
