Govt hands out $1.5B in 1st leg of “Because We Care” cash grant exercise

– exercise continues in other regions

As the first leg of the “Because We Care” Cash Grant exercise kicked off on Monday, a whopping $150 billion was distributed to parents in Regions 1, 4, 5, and 6.
The Education Ministry stated that $273,555,000 was distributed in Region 1 (Barima-Waini); $182,790,000 along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD); $608,175,000 in Georgetown; $84,060,000 in Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice), and $365,715,000 in Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Amidst these large numbers, there was, however, a minority of parents who were unable to collect their cash grants. In light of this, systems have been put in place to cater to those parents who are unable to uplift the grants as per the Education Ministry’s schedule.
Meanwhile, as the second leg of the initiative kicked off on Tuesday, parents continued to voice their opinions on their appreciation of the cash grants.
One guardian who collected monies for her grandson at the Paradise Primary School along the East Coast of Demerara expressed how the funds will aid in improving her grandson’s life.
“As a grandmother looking at my grandson since he was a baby, it is very challenging and many days I find it hard to get him a taxi and to get him food, so I find it very good.”

Meanwhile, a parent from Victoria Nursery School also along the ECD stated that the grant will assist in purchasing her children’s textbooks and school uniforms. “This will be very beneficial towards my children’s textbooks and towards their school uniforms, thanks again.”
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 schoolchildren in public and private schools have benefited from the annual cash grant thus far.