Because We Care cash grants being distributed to CAPE students

The Education Ministry this week commenced the distribution of the $19,000 Because We Care
cash grants to Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) students in the public and
private schools. The ministry said that a total of 582 students are registered to receive the grants
across the country. This includes 429 in the public schools offering CAPE and 153 from the
private schools.

On Tuesday, November 23, 202, the distribution exercise commenced following the processing,
placement and registration of the students. The grants are being uplifted at the individual schools.
The ministry said that like the distribution of the cash grants to other students in the public and
private schools, the expenditure is audited live to ensure there is transparency and accountability
throughout the process. They assured that the exercise will continue this week at CAPE public
schools across the country while the distribution will commence at private schools in
Georgetown on Wednesday, December 01, 2021. The ministry pointed out that earlier this year,
the Government restored the Because We Care cash grants to parents of children attending both
public and private schools at the nursery, primary and secondary levels. This benefitted
thousands of families by increasing their disposable income as well as providing an invaluable
education investment to over 12,000 of the nation’s children.  They said that the previous
administration had cut the funding from the project in shortly after taking office, forcing an
added burden on for close to half a decade.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand, during her visits to various regions at that time,
explained that the grant is not only for educational items but that it can be used to purchase items
that serve children and support them as they continue along their academic journey.
Manickchand said that she believes any expenditure in families is a worthwhile investment as it
provides a mutli-pronged approach to development. She noted that the investment made in the
children represents the government’s commitment to ensure that the future of Guyana is secure.
The education minister also reminded parents of the government’s promise, reaffirmed by
President Irfaan Ali on Friday, that the grant will ultimately increase to $50,000 per child during
their first term in office.
She declared that restoration of the grant, was one of the major focal points of this government.
She said that the Government had promised to restore the cash grant and fulfilled that promise.