Over 1100 parents receive education grant at Leguan and Wakenaam…as distribution continues

Written by Gina Webmasters, Published in News, Georgetown GINA, October 12, 2014, Source - GINA

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand addressing the gathering during the distribution of the education grant at Legal island, Essequibo River.

As the Ministry of Education continues the distribution of the $10,000 education grant. " Because we Care",  over 1100 Leguan and Wakenaam, parents today received their grants in the presence of Education Minister, Priya Manickchand and Member of Parliament (MP) Bibi Shaddick.

The $10,000 per child grant initiative is expected to benefit 188,406 families of the students of  nursery, primary, and secondary schools in the public school system and will see a total of $2B being invested by Government. Six schools benefited from Leguan and 10  in  Wakenaam.

While addressing the parents, Minister Manickchand said that this initiative is testimony that the Government of Guyana cares about its people, and that Guyana is growing as a country.

Minister Manickchand highlighted some of the developments that have been occurring in the education sector over the past two decades.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand overlooking the distribution process at Leguan 

She emphasised that 20 years ago, the country could not have afforded to  embark on such a critical venture, however, today the PPP/C Administration has made it possible that every child throughout the length of Guyana can receive the education grant.

“If you say your life is better now than it was 10 years ago, that is because you have a Government who spends and invests in a way that will see every single person being able to progress,” Minister Manickchand asserted.

Government understands that in order for the country to move forward and develop, the youths must be well educated.

In this regard, Minister Manickchand said that Government has been investing billions of dollars annually to ensure that education facilities are accessible to every child, regardless of their location.

She said that while much more needs to be done, the country is at its best place in education, and called on the parents to collaborate with the ministry to ensure that their children receive the quality of education that is needed for their development.

 The results of this investment are tremendous. Today 70 % of teachers are trained, Guyana has achieved Universal Primary Education and is currently working on achieving Universal Secondary Education. Further, from 2006 Guyana won the CXC top student Award every year except for 2010.

Parents receiving their education grant at Wakenaam 

Apart from the grant, the Administration in an effort to increase enrollment and attendance rates, as well as reduce the drop-out rate, continues its school uniform, school feeding and hot meal programmes. The students also benefit from free text books.

“We are very pleased to be able to do this. Once our country continues to do well, we will continue to give these kinds of benefits back to you… Guyana is the only country in the Caribbean that is giving this grant to every child… us building the infrastructure and giving out these vouchers and grants is great, but we really need your partnership to ensure that we can do well for your children," Minister Manickchand further noted.

MP Shaddick also urged the parents to partner with the Government and become involved in the process to ensure the children receive a sound education. She urged the parents to make sure that the children attend school and work along with the teachers to ensure that the students receive the quality of education needed for them to contribute to the development of the community.

The large gathering at Wakenaam

The distribution process of this initiative officially kicked off in Bartica on October 11 where hundreds of parents and children gathered to receive their grants in the presence of President Donald Ramotar and other Cabinet members.

Over the past few months, the Education Ministry had embarked on a series of consultations to find out the best way to disburse the funds. At today’s exercise, parents had to produce their ID cards before uplifting their vouchers which can be encashed at any Western Union outlet.

Source - http://74.220.215.210/~ginagov...stribution-continues