Corina Hope of Kiltearn Village, Corentyne, used to dread the transportation bill that came with sending her daughter to Berbice High School each term. This year, for the first time, a government voucher and a boosted ‘Because We Care’ grant are bringing significant ease.
“It’s very good. It’s helping me out a lot with my children, especially my daughter who is attending Berbice High School. The money will help me buy her school supplies, and I can also use it to help pay her transportation,” Hope told Ignite News.
Across Guyana, similar relief played out at distribution centres as the Government rolled out the largest education grant in the history of the ‘Because We Care’ programme: $85,000 per eligible student, made up of a $60,000 cash grant, a $5,000 uniform allowance and a newly introduced $20,000 transportation grant.
In Region Six alone, close to $1.9 billion flowed out to families on Monday, reaching 22,810 students across New Amsterdam and surrounding communities.
Region Six Chairman Junior Basant, who toured several centres, praised the efforts of the Ministry of Education and the Region Six Department of Education, saying the process was well organised and free of major delays.
That sentiment was echoed by parents themselves. Reon Perreira of Chesney, Corentyne, said collecting his son’s voucher was a straightforward affair.
“The process was very smooth today, and everything worked well. I came and collected my son’s voucher, so thanks to the Government. Things are so expensive right now, so this will really help with my child’s schooling. The $20,000 transportation grant is also nice because I live in Corentyne, and it will help out a lot,” Perreira said.
For many parents, the addition of the transportation grant marked the most welcome change. Musafir Shah Nabi, whose son enters Form Two in September, said the new allowance addressed one of the heaviest line items in his household budget.
“The increase is good. Eighty-five thousand dollars is much better.
I am thankful for the cash grant. Transportation is a lot of money, I pay like $10,000 a month for transportation. So that’s good. I still have to use the money to buy school items and also help with transportation. I still thank the Government for it,” Nabi said.
Hope, too, singled out the transportation grant as a turning point, having watched the programme grow steadily over the years.
“The Government is doing great with the school children, and I would encourage them to continue doing their best with the school grant.
I am grateful for the $20,000 transportation grant. I want to say a big thank you to the Government,” she added.
For Claudette Debadeen, the grant carries a weight beyond the classroom, stretching to cover costs at home as well.
“I am so thankful and grateful for the cash grant. It comes in very useful and benefits both my child and myself.
It will help us get all of her school supplies and also assist with transportation and other expenses around the home,” she said.
