Delay in grants for pre-service CPCE students

Students attached to the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) are calling for their students grants which have been delayed for several months.

A source informed Guyana Times of the current situation at the institution, and this publication was able to meet with a number of CPCE students who highlighted their concerns.

According to their disclosures, it is customary for the students to be given their grants each month; however, this has not been occurring.

In addition, students have also explained that these grants are usually delayed and would be given to students every three months instead of each month.

The students relayed that it is customary now, informing that “we are used to it”.

These grants are given to pre-service students; that is, those that are studying without being employed, to assist them with the purchasing of supplies to aid in their studies at the institution.

One student said that it is evident from the actions of those in charge of ensuring that the grants are given, that they do not really care “because everybody knows how hard it is in Guyana financially at this time especially for us the students and yet they are sloppy in giving us our grants, it is like we do not need it”.

Another student, who in currently in his second year at the institution, disclosed to this publication that they were all warned by the administrators of CPCE not to speak to the media.

As such, when this newspaper first met with the students, most of them were hesitant to speak and all asked that their names not be published. However, the students wish to have their pleas heard and are calling on the relevant authority to look into the issue promptly.

However, for a number of days, this publication has been making calls to Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine but all calls went unanswered.