Georgetown, Ministry of Finance, August 3, 2022: As Government continued its second day of roll out of its ‘Because We Care’ cash grant today, Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh while addressing parents and students at the J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School in Berbice, said Government will be expending in excess of $700 Million in cash grants to Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).
“I don’t want you to view this cash grant as an isolated initiative,” the Minister explained as he noted that it represents a much larger policy initiative being implemented by Government. We will ensure adequate access and we are building out enough infrastructure. I know that you have a high level of trained teachers already in Region Six. but you are not at 100 percent. Our objective is to achieve 100 % trained teacher status. Thirdly, we are committed to ensure that all schools are equipped to deliver quality education,” Dr. Singh added.
The Senior Finance Minister posited that Guyana is currently undergoing dramatic changes with its economy being among the fastest growing in the world. He also told parents that, as such, with all the opportunities being made available, their children face the brightest prospects over prior generations in the history of Guyana.
“Every parent wants their children to enjoy a life that is better than the life they(the parents) had. We all have an interest in ensuring that our children have a good education. It will not only have an impact on the children, but also your entire families, the community in which you live and the country as a whole,” Dr. Singh concluded.
The Finance Minister, during his visit to Region Six, was accompanied by Regional Chairman David Armogan and acting Regional Executive Officer, Mary Samaroo.
More than 23,000 students across East Berbice Corentyne are expected to receive the grant which started in New Amsterdam on Tuesday, on the Lower Corentyne today, and Upper Corentyne on Thursday. A total of over $719M is expected to be distributed in that Region.
Meanwhile, while in the Region, Minister Singh also visited the Port Mourant and Cropper Primary Schools where he checked on the status of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant distribution and interacted with teachers and parents at those schools.