$18.6 M for two Region 2 Schools grants and subvention

The Ministry of Education on Monday morning took its 2024 Grants and Subvention cash distribution to two schools in Essequibo, Region 2. Anna Regina and Abram Zuil Secondary Schools were the receiving schools on Monday.

The distribution to the schools’ through the Regional Education Officer even as some teachers have been striking in some areas of the country.

Education Minister Manickchand addressing a group of parents and teachers Anna Regina Secondary School

In Essequibo, the Minister and her delegation arrived to a protest to the entrance of the Ann Regional Secondary School.

Education Minister Manickchand told the gathered teachers and parents at the schools during the distribution, that the classification of the grants this year has been tailored to allow teachers to be able to do more with the funds allocated for this purpose. Hence the classification has been termed Grants and Subventions.

According to Manickchand, the subventions and grants will be given to teachers to mange and they are expected to provide receipts for purchases for the sake of accountability purposes.

Usually, schools will ask students to contribute money or materials for school activities and projects. What the grant and subvention does, is to provide the money to teachers so that they can make the purchases with funds from the state, the minister noted.

While there will be instances where teachers may still ask a student or parent to contribute to a project or school activity, the frequency with which these requests are made and the amount of funds requested, is expected to be minimal.

$12,779,000 (Twelve Million Seven Hundred and Seventy Nine Thousand Dollars) was identified for Anna Regina Secondary School and $5,824,000 (Five Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand Dollars) has been identified for Abram Zuil Secondary School.

Last year the sums were distributed on a percentage basis but this year, the funds haven been calculated based on the individual number of children each school.

When the cash grant was given last year, it directed the teachers and school specifically to use it for print and none print items and janitorial items. This year, the schools and teachers have a wider scope for utilising the funds in an effort to be able to purchase more items for the schools.