Be aware of locations to uplift cash grants – Manickchand

To deliver the “Because We Care” cash grants in a timely manner, Education Minister Priya Manickchand has advised parents to be mindful of the locations that they are to collect the money from.
This year, some schools will be receiving the $30,000 cash grant at different locations to optimise personnel on the ground, and ensure that there isn’t a crowd at these points. There is a schedule with the list of schools and locations to collect the grant.
As she was providing clarity on Friday regarding the grant, the Education Minister noted, “We are unable to serve every single school at the school. So, if the school has a small number, we asked them to go to a school nearby so we’re able to group and use one set of personnel at that place. That is why you have to look at the schedule.”
At every location, there will be education officers, teachers, auditors from the Audit Office of Guyana and Police officers. Manickchand relayed that this grant was useful last year, owing to the attendance rate.

“We believe this is going to be a great help to parents. We know, given last year’s attendance that it was very useful. The one thing we couldn’t fix entirely is the waiting period. We have lowered the number of persons at any location.”
The prerequisite for eligibility includes being on the register for attendance in the next school year. Amid questions, she clarified that those children entering the nursery level are beneficiaries.
“The test is are you on the register to go to school in September. You have to be registered and you will be in school in September 2022. The children who are now going into nursery school have to had applied by the 30th June. By now, they would know which school they’ve gotten. They’re going to that school to receive the grant.”
For children entering primary school in September, parents are advised to look for the nursery school location to uplift the grant, meaning where the register was last marked. They will be served there.
Students leaving the school system are not entitled to the grant. However, those returning for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) programme will receive theirs when the school year has commenced. The grant is not open for post-secondary students.
The $5.8 billion in “Because We Care” cash grant distribution exercise will commence on August 2 – a process that will be completed within a six-day period. Parents can collect the grant or authorise someone to do so.
A few days ago, Permanent Secretary Alfred King highlighted that the Ministry’s system provides for accountability, transparency, fairness and efficient distribution of the cash grant.
“We have a planning committee that is headed by the Minister. Our policy directive to the other players or members of the committee is that as far as practicably possible, we must do everything that is within our grasp to ensure that this programme is fully transparent. The fairness and registration is one that can withstand thorough scrutiny at every level,” King had expressed. (G12)