“Education is a powerful tool for development” – McCoy
…Guyana will see tremendous returns on education investment – Walrond
Public Affairs Minister Kwame McCoy and Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond, visited several Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) communities at the weekend to distribute the $185 million “Because We Care” cash grant initiative for students.
At the Arapaima Primary School, McCoy told parents and guardians that unlike the ‘Five Bs’ programme initiated by the Coalition, the ‘Because we care’ cash grant will benefit every public-school student.
“We are a Government that understands the needs of our people and we develop and implement programmes and policies and strategies to be able to deal with those challenges facing our ordinary Guyanese brothers and sisters,” McCoy is quoted by DPI as saying.
Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond and one of the beneficiaries of the “Because We Care” cash grant (DPI photo)
McCoy said the education grant is the realisation of a PPP/C manifesto promise and allows parents to use it to equip their children for school.
He also highlighted the important role teachers play, particularly now as they help their students to navigate learning amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
McCoy also said while the Government is building the educational infrastructure, and initiating programmes for education, parents are also being given assistance to send their children to school.
He assured parents that exciting times are ahead for Guyana, and education is a powerful tool that will propel Guyana’s development.
Public Affairs Minister Kwame McCoy hands over the cash grant to this grandmother
“It is by educating our people, educating our children, our country will be able to benefit from their education and we will be able to accelerate the pace of development to move forward very quickly and swiftly, in implementing our infrastructural programmes that are necessary for the social and economic advancement of our country,” he said. Meanwhile, Walrond said the grant will increase over the next five years in keeping with the PPP/C manifesto.
“We are convinced that our country as a whole, will see tremendous exponential returns when we invest in education,” she said.
Walrond also noted that today’s children seem able to learn faster than previous generations as times are changing rapdily. The Government recognises this, she said, which is why it is focused on ensuring that students are empowered.
The ministers visited several communities including Kumu, Moco Moco, Quarrie, Katoka and Yupukari.
