PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar told a huge gathering of Region One residents yesterday that the ‘Because We Care’ initiative is yet another intervention by the Administration to take some pressure off parents with school age children.He, however, called on parents to play their part in ensuring that their children receive an education, adding that while the Government continues to consistently make resources available, it is the duty of a parent to ensure that their child

attends school regularly.
Noting the huge sums of money the Government has been expending on education and the social sector over the years, the President said, “We believe education is important; if we develop more educated people, they will attract investment and employment, and we can have a better country, and it also ends poverty. If you generate employment, then it helps to fight poverty.”
On the subject of education being a critical tool in the fight against poverty, the President said, “I know the temptation is among males to go to the ‘gold bush’ to make a quick dollar; that is penny wise and pound foolish; life has shown us that poverty is oppressive.”
To press the point, he drew reference to several developed countries, which, though they have little or no natural resources, have some of the richest economies, because of the emphasis they placed on ensuring that the populace was well educated.
He contrasted this with those developing countries, which, though they have an abundance of natural resources, have done precious little to develop the requisite human resources.
“That is why,” he said, “we have been investing in education and the social sector, and ensuring equal opportunity, because this country belongs to all of us, and we all must have an equal share and education is one of the best ways to provide and give you the tools that you need.”
The President also took time out to assist in presenting the cash grant to some of the eager parents.
Over the next few days, parents with school-age children in the Mabaruma Sub-Region will receive their $10,000 education grant. The initiative that will cost the Government $2Billion, will benefit over 188,400 families
At yesterday’s exercise, which was done at the Mabaruma Primary School, pupils from Barabina Primary, Mabaruma Primary and Nursery, Sheba Nursery, and students from North West Secondary were presented with the cash grants.
As Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Norman Whittaker observed during the course of the exercise, “Our Government determined many decades ago that education is critical and important to the development of people, of families, and communities.”
And while other things are equally as important, the Government has always given due recognition to the fact that education is vital, hence efforts have been made over the years to come up with innovative ways to bring quality education to

citizens.
Education Minister, Ms. Priya Manickchand, spoke of the Government’s consistency in investing in the population. “We have been, as a government, very consistent in our investment in education; and that starts from our belief that the only way we can improve your lives, communities, and make our country better and your children’s lives better is if we educate them. We are sure that education is that one sure way.”
She further reasoned that if children are given a sound education in addition to the other resources that are being made available to them, then, in time, the results will pay off.
Pointing to the recent National Grade Six Assessment and Caribbean Examination Council results, the Minister noted that already the previous investments are bearing fruit across the country. She expressed the hope that with this new investment, more would be achieved.
Minister Manickchand told the gathering that the distribution of the grants shows that the Government has confidence in citizens that they will do their part in ensuing that their children receive a sound education.
She noted that she is also hopeful that citizens will play their part is assisting Guyana to achieve universal secondary education as it has already achieved universal nursery and primary education.
The Mabaruma sub-region is the fourth location across the country that has received the cash grant since it was launched on October 11 in Bartica.
Residents of Leguan and Wakenaam, Region Three and communities in Moruca, Region One have also benefitted from the initiative thus far. (GINA)