–Prime Minister tells parents in Kwakwani

PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has said that the reintroduction of the “Because We Care” cash grant programme is a testament to the government’s commitment to education development, and to its ability to deliver on its promises.

The Prime Minister launched the distribution process for the grant on Monday in Kwakwani. He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Mignon Bowen-Phillips.

The money, which amounts to $15,000, is being distributed along with a uniform grant of $4,000 to the parents of public school children.

Collectively, approximately 11,000 children in the region will benefit from the initiative, which totals roughly $209M.

During his remarks to anxious parents gathered in the auditorium of the Kwakwani Secondary School, Prime Minister Phillips said that although access to public education from nursery to secondary is free, the additional costs can be burdensome to parents.

He said that the government is aware that assisting parents in offsetting these expenses would bring relief.

“In our Manifesto, when we went to the people seeking to be elected, we made it clear that we will return the “Because We Care” grant, because we’re convinced that notwithstanding that education is free in Guyana, whatever additional assistance the government can give to the people of Guyana who have children in school will be most welcomed by the people.”

Jacqueline Williams, a parent of three children, aged 13, eight, and five, was among the first group of persons to receive the money in Kwakwani. The elated mother received $57,000 directly from the Prime Minister. She said that whether school continues Online or in the physical classroom, the money will be very useful for her.

“It will really help me to buy their school things, especially since ‘COVID’ has affected everyone financially… The Prime Minister also mentioned that by 2025, the money will go up to $50,000, and I think that will be really nice,” Ms. Williams said.

During his visit to Kwakwani, the Prime Minister also toured the head office of Kwakwani Utilities Incorporated (KUI), and met with its staff members.

He subsequently inspected several facilities under the control of the utility regulator in the predominantly mining and logging community. Among the sites he visited were the Kwakwani power-generation plant, the Kwakwani water-treatment plant, and a newly-installed water distribution system, which will supply potable water to approximately 400 residents of Jonestown.

Besides his wife, Prime Minister Phillips was also accompanied by General Manager of KUI, David Adams, and Regional Executive Officer, Dwight John.  (DPI)