PARENTS of learners attending private school were assured that their children will benefit from the government’s ‘Because We Care’ cash grant on the stipulated date, whether they have paid school fees or not.
Minister of Education Priya Manickchand made this clear on Saturday, following complaints about private schools telling parents they will not receive the grant until the fees are paid.
The minister, on her Facebook page, said: “Once you are on the register that was submitted by the school to the Ministry of Education, we have catered for you to get the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, and you will get it; this is not dependent on whether or not you paid school fees, or if you paid for the full year etc. It is not the ministry’s policy that you must pay your school fees first.”
The Education Minister also issued a call for those parents having any difficulties with private schooling for their children to register them within the public school system.
The minister was prompted to make the statement following the circulation of audio recording from a private school teacher informing parents that while the payment of the cash grant commences on August 2, 2022, those who have not paid their fees would not be able to receive the grant. Several parents then reached out to the minister seeking clarity.
Minister Manickchand has issued a list of locations, by education districts, where the cash grants would be distributed to parents of both public and private school students.
The cash grant of $30,000 per child includes $25,000 for the ‘Because We Care’ grant, and $5,000 for the school uniform and supplies grant. Payments commence officially on Tuesday, August 3, 2022.
