THE Ministry of Education and the Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Administration has started the distribution of the $10,000 “Because We Care” education grant to parents whose children are attending public nursery, primary and secondary schools across the Region.

Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh chatting with some parents as they awaited their turn to collect their children’s vouchers at Abram Zuil Secondary

The exercise, which began at 14.00hrs on Monday at ten distribution centres in the south, saw hundreds of parents turning up to collect their $10,000 vouchers.

According to a release from the Department of Education at Cotton Field, Member of Parliament, Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj was at the Good Hope distribution centre, while Advisor to the President, Mr. Odinga Lumumba was at the Huis t’Dieren Primary School distribution centre.
The release said that Minister of Education, Ms. Priya Manichand was at Suddie Primary School distribution centre, and Minister Jennifer Westford was at the Aurora centre.

Dr. Ashni Singh in discussion with parents at the Abram Zuil Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast

Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Gopaul was at the Fisher Primary School distribution centre and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh was at the Abram Zuil Secondary School centre.

The release said also that MP Mr. Cornel Damon was at Taymouth Manor Primary, while Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Alli Baksh was at the Anna Regina Multilateral School distribution centre. Minister in the Finance Ministry, Bishop Juan Edgehill was at the Cotton Field Secondary School centre, while Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony was at the C.V. Nunes Primary School distribution centre.
At Abram Zuil Secondary, parents turned up in large numbers from as early as midday to collect their vouchers. And while they waited patiently for the Minister of Finance to arrive, the atmosphere was one of excitement and joy, as everyone expressed their satisfaction and gratitude.

More parents waiting to collect their children’s education grant made available by Government at the Abram Zuil Secondary School

Minister Singh, in his address, said the inputs are being provided so children can attend school. He said if children are well educated, then the country will be brighter and more prosperous.
The Finance Minister said the PPP/C Government has, from its earliest days, ensured that more and more resources are added to the education sector.

ROLE OF PARENTS
The Finance Minister, in his charge to parents, said it is not only about the $10,000, but it is necessary that parents do their part to ensure that children are better prepared for a more prosperous Guyana.
Many parents who collected their $10,000 education grant said they are thankful to the caring PPP/C Government.

One parent said the Government is very caring and good to all children of Guyana. She said under the PPP/C Government today children have many opportunities to complete their primary, secondary and university education. The distribution exercise was set to continue at four distribution centres in the north of the Essequibo Coast yesterday.

(Rajendra Prabhulall)