Guyana: Because We Care Grant Not for TVs or Stereos, Nandlall Tells Parents

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall has advised parents and guardians to allocate the Because We Care cash grant exclusively for school-related expenses. This guidance comes as the government initiates the distribution of the latest installment of the program. During his weekly program, Issues In the News, Nandlall stated that each child enrolled in a public or private school will receive a total of $85,000. This amount includes a $60,000 cash grant, a $20,000 transportation grant, and a $5,000 uniform grant.

Approximately 206,000 families across the country are anticipated to benefit from this initiative. Nandlall emphasized that the funds are intended to support children’s education throughout the academic year. He remarked, “The grant is to be used for the children’s education,” and cautioned against spending the money on non-educational items. He specifically mentioned that the grant should not be used for purchasing items such as stereo systems or televisions.

Nandlall characterized the program as unique within the Caribbean, noting that he is not aware of any similar initiatives in the region. He highlighted that the program was first introduced in 2010, prior to Guyana’s oil production, with an initial cash grant of $10,000, which has since increased to $85,000 per child.

Additionally, he criticized the former APNU+AFC government for abolishing the grant after taking office in 2015. Nandlall addressed accusations from the opposition regarding the distribution of the grant, asserting that it is administered through the Ministry of Education based on school registration records. He challenged the opposition to provide evidence of any child who qualified for the grant but did not receive it, claiming that no such evidence has been presented. He maintained that the allegations of discrimination are unfounded and misleading, affirming that the grant is accessible to eligible children nationwide.

Source: hgptv.com