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Parents of 814 students attending a cluster of schools received the Because We Care Cash Grant at the Fisher Primary School, Essequibo Coast on Wednesday, the Ministry of Education said.
The Grants for children attending the Abrams Zuil Secondary, Fisher Nursery, Fisher Primary and Abrams Zuil Nursery School were distributed to parents at the venue representing a collective value of over $15M.
Minister of Education Priya Manickchand told parents that the grant is the Government’s way of offering assistance to parents of children in the public school system.
She said that the Government is not limiting parents to how they should use the grant specifically but encouraged that whatever it is used for benefits the children and their education.
On Tuesday the Guyana Teacher’s Union advised its teachers and school administrators to refrain from handling the government cash grant to public school students.
The union in its statement said apart from information circulating in Social Media it is not aware of logistics surrounding the actual distribution of this Cash Grant. “Therefore, in keeping with our mandate to look after the welfare of our members. GTU wishes to advise on the following:
1. School administrators and staff are to refrain from handling or taking responsibility for cash/money.
2. Lend support where needed to verify authentic students from your school when called upon.
3. Do not store cash/money relating to the Cash Grant.
4. Refrain from large gathering especially since COVID 19 cases and deaths are still been recorded in Guyana everyday.
5. Seek the intervention of your Union should you receive threats from any source.”
The union also reminded teachers of a circular which advises that all financial matters relating to the school must be handled by the Parent Teacher’s Association.
