THE Head of the Private Sector Inc. (R3PSInc) in Region Three, Halim Khan, has lauded the launch of the distribution exercise of the Government of Guyana’s 2026 “Because We Care” cash grant in Region Three, describing the initiative as one of Guyana’s most impactful investments in human capital and a tangible demonstration of the government’s commitment to supporting families and strengthening the education sector.
The distribution exercise which officially started this week in Region Three will see parents and guardians receiving a total of $85,000 per school-age child, comprising the $60,000 “Because We Care” cash grant, $20,000 school supplies grant and $5,000 uniform voucher.
The scheme is part of a wider government agenda to invest in society by easing the financial burden on families and improving access to education across the country.
Khan lauded the magnitude and consistency of the programme, noting that not many countries in the region have rolled out education support initiatives of this magnitude.
“The continued expansion of the Because We Care programme is a transformational investment in Guyana’s future. “The government is putting resources directly into the hands of parents and guardians and that means every child, no matter their background or where they live, will have a better chance to succeed,” Khan said.
He pointed out that the ripple effect of the initiative goes beyond just the direct financial relief, generating broader economic benefits as money circulates within the communities and local businesses benefit from the distribution process.
The start of the exercise in Region Three, Khan said, is especially important considering the rapid growth of the Region’s economy and population. Region Three continues to experience unprecedented growth and development.
“These programmes help to ensure that families are able to participate meaningfully in that growth, while investing in their children’s education and future prospects,” he said.
The government said the 2026 education cash grant package was the largest ever to be disbursed under the programme, with support steadily growing since the administration reintroduced the initiative.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on Friday, reiterated that investments in education continue to be at the heart of the government’s development agenda and its wider vision of improving the quality of life of Guyanese families.
The increase in the grant has been welcomed by parents nationwide, who have thanked the government for the financial assistance coming just in time for the new school year to help offset rising costs of uniforms, transportation, textbooks, school supplies and other educational expenses.
The distribution process has also been efficient and government officials have pointed out the huge preparations made for a smooth implementation.
“The overwhelming positive response from the public is indicative of the programme’s direct impact on households across Guyana,” said Khan.
The feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly positive as families recognise the value of this support.
“Education continues to be the basis for national development and efforts to remove obstacles to learning ultimately strengthen the whole country,” he said.
He praised the government, the Ministry of Education and the administrative teams for their work in the nationwide distribution exercise and said the continued expansion of educational assistance was a sign of a sustained commitment to human development.
As Guyana continues to transform at a rapid pace, investments in our children will remain among the most critical investments we can make. “We Care has become a cornerstone of social support and educational advancement and its impact will continue to be felt for generations to come,” Khan added.
The nationwide distribution programme began on June 29 and is expected to continue countrywide in all administrative regions, impacting hundreds of thousands of school children in the public and private education sectors across Guyana.
