Truths about classroom cash grants

Sep 28, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

I am kindly requesting a piece in your daily newspaper publication to voice my frustration with the Ministry of Education’s pursuit of political self-interest and materialistic gains through the classroom grant for teachers. This pursuit has been skillfully stoked with the flames of uncertainty, leaving teachers trembling in the cold grip of anxiety and doubt. Last week, the Minister was quoted as saying that a non-compulsory suggestive list of materials that teachers could purchase would be provided to schools. Furthermore, teachers would be given the liberty to buy suitable class-related materials for their classes, and they were advised that receipts were needed to justify their purchases in the interest of transparency.

With an impassioned plea, Editor, I yearn to dispel this thick, suffocating fog of distortion and absurdity that envelops us, cast upon the stage by the minister’s political theatrics. Currently, in the education system in schools in my education district, the monies reside exclusively in the hands of the headteacher. Secondly, teachers in my school are not allowed to purchase outside of that list due to MoE man-made bureaucratic procedures that headteachers fear. As a result, teachers are advised not to purchase outside of that list. Thirdly, ordinary teachers must justify dollar-for-dollar, while headteachers are not subjected to scrutiny, and there is a non-return policy for leftover funds. Fourthly, the grant enables crony capitalism, where teachers are advised by the headteacher to support big businesses with “nice customer stamps” while dispensing with small businesses that don’t have them, once again due to fear of MoE man-made bureaucratic procedures.

Editor, I want to urge parents to stop believing the white lies of the Ministry that teachers are getting rich, but rather deeply value the work teachers do. In this country, for more than a decade, teacher and parents understand that children are often faced with burdensome cost of paying for printing test papers for end of term examination.  The Ministry should stop living in its bubble and playing politics, it would pay better to help the children in this country.

Yours sincerely,

Teacher – [Name Withheld due to fear of victimization]

• Furthermore, Ministry of Education, publication, purchases, teachers