From household items to savings, parents free to utilise $55k cash grant as they see fit – Manickchand

As the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant initiative continues its nationwide rollout, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand delivered a passionate address to parents in Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) emphasising that the $55,000 per child grant is theirs to use however best benefits their child, and that love, like policy, must be shown through action.

A total of $11 billion has been allocated in the 2025 Budget for the distribution of the grant to 205,000 children in public and private schools nationwide. This year, the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant has been increased to $50,000, coupled with the $5,000 uniform allowance, giving parents a total of $55,000 per child.
While over $470 million has already been distributed to parents of school aged children in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), other regions will be targeted in the coming weeks.
Speaking at the launch of the distribution exercise in Linden, Manickchand cited examples of parents using previous grants to buy uniforms, breakfast supplies, or start savings accounts for their children.
“And she said, you can’t tell me about school supplies. At that time, we use to talk about school supplies, uniforms etc. She said I have enough school supplies and I’m going to buy two black tanks because if the black tank will give me water. It means they don’t have to fetch up water”.
“I saw another parent say, and we have them on video. This going in the early savings account, because I’ve been managing the work I get in the country. I’m managing my children and this is going to their early savings. I am not here to tell you, and I will not let anyone else tell you, how to manage your money, when year to year you’re handling the money by yourself,” the Minister of Education.
In this regard, the Education Minister encouraged parents to utilise the money as they see fit and once their children can reap the benefits.
Meanwhile, Manickchand also spoke about the Government’s school supplies grant initiative. The grant was implemented in September 2023 and is aimed at providing financial relief to teachers, helping to improve and manage classrooms more effectively and getting relevant supplies in a timely manner at a preferred quality.
Under the grant, teachers are given the opportunity to purchase the necessary office, field and janitorial supplies needed for their classrooms.
“They’re not supposed to be sending you that list now, because we are giving each school the value of $4,500 per child, so that your teacher has to choose what they want to buy, when they want to buy it, how much they want to buy, and what quality they want to buy…But that leaves you with more disposable income in your pocket”.
“Love is an action word. Don’t tell me you love me. You do things to show me you love me. That is how we operate in Government. When we say we love you, you must be light in the centre. Your pocket must feel a little heavy. You must have more money in your hands to do things that are nice to the children, for yourself,” she added.