Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 18, 2014 News
– as cash grant distribution hits Mabaruma
Government has over time been deliberately lending support to families in hopes that
they are in a better position to ensure that their children are properly educated. This has been evident by the provision of hot meals in schools and the provision of uniform vouchers among other notable feats.
This level of Government support was particularly emphasised by Head of State, Donald Ramotar, as he addressed a sizeable gathering in Mabaruma, Region One, on Thursday. The occasion was the continued distribution of Government’s “Because we care” cash grant which first commenced in Bartica on Saturday last.
But the Grant, according to President Ramotar, is only an addition to what Government has been consistently doing. “We spend billions of dollars every year in order to buy books so that our children can have books to go to school and study from; not like in the past when you couldn’t even have chalk to write on the black board when you had hardly anything,” recounted the Head of State.
The cash grant distribution was hosted at the Mabaruma Primary school which President Ramotar described as “practically a new school” and among the tangible contributions Government has been making towards improving the delivery of education.
But even as he mentioned the fact that the area has one small secondary school with the capacity to cater to about 100 students; resulting in an overcrowding situation, the Head of State made it clear that “we are trying constantly to correct these things. We fundamentally believe that education is extremely important for many, many reasons.”
With education in focus, he pointed out that the nation will be better poised to develop a better quality of educated people, and by extension a higher educated workforce. “That, by itself should help us to attract investments and create employment for people, and we will have a better country for that matter,” said the Head of State, as he went on to note that education has the potential to eradicate poverty.
According to him, life lessons have long revealed that the most important factor for a country’s development is its (educated) people rather than its natural resources. “Right in this continent of South America, certain parts of Brazil, certain places in Argentina, poverty is oppressive,” said President Ramotar as he turned his attention to sections of the continent of Africa, though rich in natural resources, are plagued with raging poverty.
He however, noted that there are countries like Japan that have no natural resources but yet, have the status of being one of the richest countries of the world simply because they have a highly educated population.
Moreover, President Ramotar insisted that “it is important for our children to be in school and don’t fall for the lure of making a quick dollar and finishing their life as far as their education is concerned.” It is his conviction that education also offers a personal benefit, apart from the fact that people will eventually be able to appreciate other people’s cultures, whereby they can be able to better manage themselves, even health wise.
Another reason that Government has been investing substantially in education and the social sectors in general, the President said, is to ensure that there is equal opportunities available to all. “We are a multi-ethnic, multi-racial, cultural country but this country belongs to all of us, and if all of us are going to have a share in this country, we must have equal opportunities, and education is one of the best ways to provide and give you the tools to have equal opportunities for everyone within the society,” said the President.
And it is expected that through the cash grant of $10,000, which is intended to aid the schooling of each public school child at the levels of nursery, primary and secondary, even the lesser fortunate will be able to rise above poverty by fully embracing education.
The arrival of the President to Mabaruma on Thursday in the company of Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, was greeted by a wide cross section of Region One residents, including children, who lined the entire route from the airstrip to the Mabaruma Primary School.
Understandably the venue had a capacity audience that spilled into the school yard. This was in light of the fact, that the cash grant distribution was done in a cluster catering to not only children of the Mabaruma Primary but also those of the Barabina Primary, Mabaruma and Sheba Nurseries and the North West Secondary School.
In addition to several senior education officials, the distribution process was witnessed by Regional Education Officer, Nigel Richards, and Regional Chairman, Paul Pierre.
A sum of $12 million was dispersed via the cash grant in Mabaruma bringing the total sum distributed to date to $24 million.
Minister Manickchand, in speaking to those gathered to receive their grants, reiterated that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government has been consistent in its investment in education. She also sought to emphasise that “consistency starts from a belief by the People’s Progressive Party that the only way we can improve your life as individuals; the only way we can improve your community; the only way we can improve this region; the only way we can make our country better; and the only way we can make your children’s lives better; is if we invest in educating them.”
The Cash Grant distribution will continue today and tomorrow with distributions at venues in Georgetown and Region Three and Six.
President Ramotar will accompany Minster Manickchand to continue distributions at the Uitvlugt Community Centre today, starting at 09:00 hours and at the Berbice High School on Sunday.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 28, 2024
Minister Ramson challenge athletes to better last year’s performance By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – Guyana’s 23-member contingent for the CARIFTA Games in Grenada is set to depart the...B.V. Police Station Kaieteur News – The Beterverwagting Police Station, East Coast Demerara (ECD) will be reconstructed... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – In the face of escalating global environmental challenges, water scarcity and... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]