MINISTER of Governance, Raphael Trotman, has said that the “Because We Care” $10,000 education grant is “unsustainable” in its current form and is being reviewed. The Minister said that the programme is “fiscally unsustainable,” since the manner in which it was implemented does not entirely focus on addressing the needs of the depressed communities, who should have been the main beneficiaries from the beginning.
“When you give a grant or a cash transfer, it has to be targeted; it must be accompanied or guided by a means test, so that you ensure the most vulnerable in society are the sole or if not the primary beneficiaries,” asserted the Minister.
Many had felt however, that the programme should have been tied to students’ performance, with the focus being on building strong parental involvement in their children’s education, which would more likely have realised value for the money invested.
Even children who hardly attended school and those with well-off parents benefited from the initiative championed by then subject Minister, Priya Manickchand.
What obtained under that system was that the grant was distributed equally among students coming from rich and poor homes, whereas the purpose of the programme was to support needy parents; and the sum of $10,000, though welcome, was not enough help for poor, single-parent mothers.
Therefore, the new Administration felt the need to thoroughly review the programme so that the money could be channelled to deserving persons.
In a recent interview with this publication, Education Minister, Rupert Roopnaraine had said that he believed the programme was a “device” before the elections which was fostered by the last Government.
Therefore, to further address the situation, the Ministry of Education along with the Ministry of Finance will take steps to review the education sector’s spending priorities which will determine the continuation of the programme.
“We have to look in terms of our own spending priorities, whether it is something we can continue with to help those who are in need, and we will certainly like to do so,” said Dr. Roopnaraine.
However, Minister Trotman yesterday declared that while the education grant programme is being revised, the distribution has stopped, but the Government is continuing with the school uniform vouchers and will aim to enhance it.