In major $55M programme…
OVER the past two weeks, the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has continuously demonstrated its steadfast commitment in assisting underprivileged children to attend and stay in school.

Minister Priya Manickchand addressing voucher recipients at Hampton Court Primary School.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand last Thursday visited the county of Essequibo and extended the uniform voucher assistance to over a thousand students.

Minister Manickchand said the Government pays very keen interest in taking care of vulnerable/weaker groups (women, children, elderly) since they are more likely to be at a disadvantage.

Apart from these interventions, Government has passed several legislations, which aim to protect and care for these vulnerable groups.

Minister Manickchand stressed that if parents cannot send their children to school to ensure that they acquire a sound education, then they are relegating them to a life of poverty and hardships.

She maintained that keeping children in school is the only sure way to break the cycle of poverty and secure a brighter future.

The Minister explained that the voucher, which is worth $1500, could only be used to purchase school uniforms or other school related items.

Minister Manickchand addressing voucher recipients at CV. Nunes Primary School

While 10 percent of the population of schools on the coast is receiving vouchers, 100 percent of the population of schools in riverain areas such as Mahaica/Abary and Pomeroon, will be benefiting.

Minister Manickchand said that Government understands the many circumstances that make it difficult for parents to send their children to school; parents on the other hand, need to understand the importance of education in the lives of their children and make the necessary sacrifices to ensure that they obtain it. She said that by making this sacrifice, they will be providing a service to Guyana, by aiding in the development of its human resources.

The Minister urged parents to fulfill their natural and legal duties towards their children to ensure that they are given the opportunity to succeed.

The distribution centers were Dartmouth Community High, and Hampton Court, C.V Nunes, Taymouth Manor, Suddie, and Aurora and Charity Primary Schools, where students of some 47 schools received over 1000 vouchers.

The programme which was launched in 2001, by President Bharrat Jagdeo, will be extended to thousands of students across the country under the allocated sum of $55M.

This voucher programme complements a similar outreach done by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to ensure that all of Guyana’s children who are in need receive this assistance.

Parents and guardians in Region 2 expressed their gratitude towards the Government for this intervention and promised to comply by ensuring that their children stay in school. The programme has already touched Regions Ten, Three and Six – where Minister Manickchand visited yesterday. (GINA)