Distribution of “Because We Care” cash grant to begin on June 24

The distribution of the “Because We Care” cash grant to public and private school students will commence on Monday, June 24 across the ten administrative regions of Guyana.
This announcement was made on Wednesday by Education Minister Priya Manickchand, who explained that the $45,000 grant will be disbursed in two phases.
The announcement of the provision follows the conclusion of the nationwide verification process, which required all nursery, primary and secondary schools across the country to supply registers with the lists of names for students within the respective classrooms.
The submitted names for those eligible were then provided to Regional Education Departments for the first round of verification, thereafter, to the Education Ministry for the second and final round of verification.
Manickchand said the standard procedure is part of efforts aimed at ensuring the nation’s children are well equipped and outfitted to attend school as Guyana forge ahead with plans to achieve universal education.
“This is a grant for public and private school children who are in school. The eligibility criteria is that you have to be on the register, you have to have been attending school, and you have to have returned your textbooks to be able to access the grant…This is going to happen all across Guyana over a two-week period for collection and distribution,” Manickchand said.
Parents and guardians are asked to take a form of identification in order to ensure that the distribution process is hassle free and is conducted in a timely manner.
For those individuals who have misplaced or do not have a valid Identification card, the Ministry has put a system in place to allow a respected person such as a Pastor, Headteacher or Toshao within their community to identify them.
“It’s very smooth, it’s very transparent, it’s very open, and every child who is entitled will benefit. Now, what does a parent have to do to receive this grant? You have to turn up, turn up to the place that we advertise. You have to look to see where and when you have to go to receive your child’s grant, to see where that school is being served, and you have to walk along with identification, either passport, ID card, or driver’s license,” the Minister added.

This year, the “Because We Care” cash grant was increased to $40,000, coupled with the $5,000 uniform allowance and will benefit 205,000 children countrywide.
In 2021, the Government reintroduced the cash grant distribution for school-aged children, as per its manifesto promise. The distributions at that time saw each child benefitting from $19,000— $15,000 from the “Because We Care” grant and $4000 from their uniform vouchers.
In 2022, the Government increased the “Because We Care” cash grant amount from $15,000 to $25,000, and the uniform voucher from $4000 to $5000. This meant that each child went from receiving $19,000, to $30,000. It was also opened to all private school students as well.
In 2023, cash grants saw children registered in nursery, primary, and secondary public and private schools receiving a $35,000 grant, together with $5000 for school uniforms and other supplies.
According to reports from Central Government, since assuming office in August 2020, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration has expended a total of $27 billion on “Because We Care” Cash Grants, with an additional $8.6 billion in disposable income to be made available to families nationwide this year.
According to Manickchand, approximately 214,000 school children in public and private schools have benefit from the annual cash grant thus far. (G1)