A caring Government

DURING disbursement of millions of dollars at the Rose Hall Primary School last Sunday, Guyana’s Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, accompanying other Government officials who visited several schools in Region 6 to observe the disbursement of the Government of Guyana’s $10,000 ‘Because We Care’ education vouchers, addressed the large gathering, and paid tribute to his parents and grand-parents who sacrificed so much to give him a solid education. 

In those days, he said, his parents didn’t have much money. “Like some parents here, they were living largely on what they farmed. But whatever money they had, they made it a top priority to provide us with clothing and sent us to school.”

Those were the days when parents darned clothes and turned around school uniforms so that the faded parts faced inwards, let down hems on uniforms that were supposed to last for years; when children walked with bare feet in all weather for miles to acquire an education; but they persevered, and some of Guyana’s elite scholars, most distinguished professionals, celebrated sporting personalities, accomplished entrepreneurs and most brilliant leaders emerged from such resonances of childhood poverty.

Guyana’s Prime Minister, who ultimately acquired a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Brunswick, initially served this country for many years in the bauxite industry and has continued to give yeoman service to the country of his birth for in excess of two decades in leadership capacities, especially as Prime Minister, but his recollections reveal that he never forgot his humble roots, which have perhaps been the grounding force in the excellent discharge of his duties in the several areas in which he has served, and continues to serve his fellow Guyanese.

Proffering some words of wisdom, the Prime Minister adjured parents to be pro-active in the discharge of the responsibilities, positing that their time and efforts to maintain their children’s education is the most valuable contribution they could make to enhance their children’s future prospects. He warned that parents need to keep abreast with what their children are doing in school and urged that television viewing and other unnecessary recreational pursuits be kept to a minimum to allow enough time for vital studies and homework.

Both the Prime Minister and Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, as well as other Government functionaries, including President Donald Ramotar, gave assurances at various venues of distribution of the grant that Government will try to increase the amount gradually as national finances improve and after a review of the success of this programme.

Minister Priya Manickchand promised that, “As our country grows and the economy gets better, this (grant) too will grow.” Every day in excess of twelve million dollars is being distributed to parents and guardians throughout every region in Guyana.
To date, more than $600M have been given to parents and guardians in every Administrative Region of Guyana. The campaign continues until every child registered in the system is accounted for. Parents are reminded that they have until the end of November to en-cash their vouchers at any Western Union outlet throughout the country. Government will stand the cost of all Western Union transaction fees to allow parents to benefit from the full $10,000 per voucher.

Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds lauded the efforts of his parents and grandparents for their sacrifices and input into the educational processes that eventuated in his various successes in life. However, into that equation today should be added, “… and a caring Government.”

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