The second phase of the $300M school uniform voucher distribution programme, designed to improve students’ attendance rate nationally, commenced yesterday.
The vouchers, valued at $1,500 each, are being distributed by the students’ class teachers and are redeemable at designated stores in the various regions across the country.
According to Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh, this initiative is part of a national drive to improve students’ attendance rate.
“We are providing them (students) with a better opportunity to complete school, receive a sound education, and make meaningful contributions to society,” he explained.
During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, Minister Baksh noted that of the 165,000 vouchers designated for distribution, 8,000 would be given out during the second phase of the programme.
The ministry has distributed some 156,000 vouchers at nursery, primary and secondary schools on the coast during the first phase which commenced in June of this year, and which has benefited thousands of students to date.
Alluding to the scope of part two of the project, Baksh said, “The second phase began yesterday and runs until 22 July; we only have 8000 vouchers and these will go to the nursery schools who will be registering soon for the new school term.”
As to the overall success of the programme this year, he highlighted that there have been no “hiccups” during the initial stage, which has been deemed an “overwhelming success.”
Baksh stated, “It means the schools have responded and the individual teachers took charge and we have printed new voucher sheets; we have not received any complaints, so I expect that things will go smoothly.”
The school uniform distribution programme was first launched in 2003 by President Bharrat Jagdeo, and is part of a public assistance package initiated by government.
Prior to the launching of the programme, parents seeking assistance for school uniforms for their children were referred to the Difficult Circumstances Unit (DCU) of the Ministry of Human Services.
The annual allocation to facilitate this programme has increased significantly, with $55M being spent in 2008 and 2009 to benefit over 36,000 children.
In 2007, government spent $40M to provide uniform assistance to 26,000 students, while in 2006, $77M was earmarked to provide uniforms for 30,000 students.
In 2005, 14,000 students were catered for, with a budgetary allocation of $40M, while 13,000 students received uniforms at a cost of $40M in 2004.
Education Minister, Shaik Baksh is urging parents who have not yet uplifted vouchers for their children to do so during the second phase of the distribution exercise.