Multibillion dollar ‘Because We Care’ cash grant rolls out this week

THE EDUCATION MINISTRY IS POISED TO ROLL OUT ITS FLAGSHIP ‘BECAUSE
WE CARE’ multibillion dollar Cash and School Uniform grant programme this week targeting
some 172,000 public sector learners.
The Irfaan Ally administration has set aside some G$3.2B (approx.US$6M) for the national
scheme gifting each student across the country $15,000 plus $4,000 in cash as School Uniform
and Supplies Grant.
The learning ministry published the distribution schedule in the local Sunday Edition of the
newspapers, and advised the nation to visit its Facebook page and website for the agenda to help
public school students from nursery to secondary levels. The grants will be handed out to parents
or guardians at the schools of respective students.
Those who miss the distribution date, will be able to uplift the cash grants at a later date – to be
announced by the Ministry – at the Regional Department of Education or Education District,
the MoE advised.
The MoE is encouraging all parents and guardians to walk with a valid form of identification
(National Identification [ID] Card; a valid Driver’s License or Passport) to uplift the grant at the
specified dates, to avoid needless hardships.
The MoE press release further advised that if any parent or guardian does not possess an ID card,
driver’s license or passport they will be still able to uplift the monies after a senior community
official, or the school’s Headteacher has verified the adult’s relationship with the child.
The education ministry has projected completing the ‘Because We Care’ exercise before
September.
“We encourage all parents and guardians to uplift the grants and use it in the best interest of their
children as we work together to give those who will be the leaders of tomorrow the opportunity
to be the best that they can be,” the MoE said.

The government plans annual incremental increases to the two elements of the ‘Because
We Care’ novelty until it reaches $50,000. The School Uniform and Supplies Grant has
doubled from $2000 last year to $4000 this year.