$300M uniform assistance programme to commence June 22

Jun 04, 2011 News

Education Minister, Shaik Baksh, has announced that some $300M has been allocated to the School Uniform Assistance Programme which should be rolled out by this month-end.
The programme which caters for learners from nursery to secondary schools aims to ensure every child, particularly the vulnerable are not deprived the opportunity to attend school because of the financial circumstances of their family.
The allocated sum will cover the implementation of the programme throughout the country.
Assistance to Amerindian/hinterland communities will be organized and spearheaded by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry. Raw materials and ready-made uniforms will be purchased and distributed to these communities, with the support of the regional administrations of Regions One, Seven, Eight and Ten.
The raw materials will be processed by locally organized sewing centres for distribution to schools in the catchment areas.
Where these are absent, ready-made uniforms will be allocated.
As customary, authorized merchants of the voucher system will be instructed to clear/receive payment for all negotiated vouchers at the Education Ministry, Accounting Unit at Brickdam, Georgetown.
Minister Baksh said that strict systems of accountability will be maintained to ensure all financial and accounting guidelines and regulations are observed.
Last year, the government-funded programme to bolster students’ attendance throughout the country, got off to a smooth start and parents turned out in resounding numbers, the Ministry said.
Minister Baksh, according to a release yesterday, called on parents to make full use of the intervention this year, noting that the goal is not only to ensure every school-aged child attends school but also complete the primary and secondary cycles, equipped with a sound education, and ready to make a meaningful contribution to the development of their country.
The distribution is expected to commence on June 22. Also, as was done last year, a relative can uplift the vouchers in the absence of the parent but must provide an identification card or the child’s report card.
The vouchers which will expire in September will be redeemable at designated stores in the various regions.
Apart from the uniform programme, the government has allocated some $1B to the national school feeding programme which is also geared to improve students’ attendance and performance.
This initiative which benefits more than 51,000 learners at the nursery and Grades One and Two at the primary levels throughout the country has already started to generate positive results.
Minister Baksh, in July, will be reporting on the impact of the school feeding programme.

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