President underscores importance of education – as “Because we care” initiative goes to Paramakatoi

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar yesterday led the distribution of the $10,000 education grant to parents and guardians of public school children at Paramakatoi in Region 8. In the Amerindian community, the Head of State underscored the need for children to be educated and outlined Government’s investments in the sector to ensure there are opportunities for all children. He was accompanied by Education Minister Priya Manickchand, and Minister in the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill.

The Head of State stressed the need for people to be educated as children, pointing to a World Bank review which measured poverty in Guyana. He noted that this has been turned around and Guyana is no longer a poor country. The President also emphasised Government’s investment in education which has produced top scholars in the Region annually, through the CXC examinations.

He also observed that when the move was made to bring Amerindian students to attend President’s College, the Opposition objected, stating that the standard of the school would be lowered. However, he said that the move was justified when an Amerindian girl from the North West District topped the school three years ago.

President Donald Ramotar and Education Minister Priya Manickchand overlook the distribution of the $10,000 cash grant

There are several programmes put in place by this Administration to assist in educating the children of Guyana, to which the $10,000 grant has now been added.   Describing what scope education would allow for persons, he pointed to the way in which lives could be improved and guided.
To further Amerindian children’s education, the government has provided solar panels so they can study at night.
The President pointed out too that with concentration on the social sector, there are also other areas which are being focused on. Agriculture in the hinterland is one such area.

Pointing to the projects proposed by the PPP/C Administration, and which were voted against by the political Opposition, the President stated that all manifestos had called for hydropower in Guyana, yet when the project was brought forward it was rejected by the Opposition. “Judge us by our actions,” he urged.

Pointing to the proroguing of Parliament, he noted that it was not a dictatorial move, but instead one to preserve the Parliament, as he explained the reasons for this action. On Monday, the President issued the proclamation to prorogue the Parliament, in face of a no confidence motion by the Opposition. Despite calls for the Opposition to work with the government, they remained adamant that they were not talking, as the only thing of interest to them was the no confidence motion.
He pointed out the lies which have been told by the Opposition to the Amerindians.  “Look at our actions for all the people,” he insisted, comparing what existed in the past to what exists today.
He pointed to the budget cuts perpetrated by the Opposition which slashed the entire capital budget of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, and which affected the development of Amerindians.

Speaking of the Opposition’s claims of corruption, the President pointed to the methods which are in place to prevent that and prove that this is not so. “They have not been our partners in development,” he declared.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand noted that the way to rise out of poverty is for parents to prioritise and give their children the life they never had. She declared that education is the future; the educational status of the parents has nothing to do with the future of their children.
The Minister also focused on the fact that top students of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) came from Guyanese homes where their parents were cane harvesters and housewives. She emphasised the work being carried out to improve hinterland education which she described as of utmost importance to Amerindians.

President Donald Ramotar addressing recipients of the education cash grant vouchers in Paramakatoi, Region 8

The ‘Because We Care’ initiative was approved in the 2014 national budget and targets each child in the public school children. Over 188, 400 families are to benefit overall from the Juan Edghill initiative that will cost $2B.
The Minister said the grant is meant to be an assistance and an addition to the resources parents already have available.

The Education Minister encouraged parents to continue to invest in their children, to make the necessary sacrifices so that they can become adults who can meaningfully contribute to Guyana and the world. “Our duty as adults, as a government is to ensure that our children have the opportunities we never had, what we couldn’t do,” she said.
Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, explaining the reasons for the distribution of the cash grant, pointed to the belief of Government that education is the way to a prosperous future. This, he said, has been ongoing for the past 20 years in Guyana through provision of more schools and teachers and programmes to keep children in school.
The ‘Because We Care’ $10,000 grant programme was launched on October 11, 2014 in Bartica.

Meanwhile, the cash grant was welcomed by parents in the community. Nurse Matilda Saigo Williams, who uplifted the grant for her nephews, said, “They will be able to use it to buy their school things…it’s a very nice programme because it will help to offset expenses.”
Lambert John indicated that he “…will buy some clothing and crayons and what they use in school. It’s quite a good programme for parents who don’t earn. It’s a great thing the Government is doing and they should continue.”
Odessa Paul, a teacher, stated that the parents are elated and that her students understand that the money is to be used for them, adding that it was distributed in a timely manner for parents.
Christopher Sandoval stated that he was grateful for the grant which he will use to assist to buy a laptop for his son, and he is thankful to government for giving it.

“I am studying to put it in my children’s bank account,’ said one male parent with four children in school. Another explained that the grant “…has come in very handy and will serve a great purpose. I haven’t had aid from anywhere…it will help me with their books and that kind of thing.”
Yet another parent stated that she would use the grant towards her child’s examination fees.