Free school transportation better than GY$10,000 cash grant- govt MPs

Last Updated on Tuesday, 5 December 2017, 17:29 by Denis Chabrol

Government parliamentarians on Tuesday defended the decision to scrap the GY$10,000 yearly cash grant to parents that had been provided by the then People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC)-led administration, and instead said the provision of free school transportation was more valuable.

President David Granger, since coming to power in May 2015, has been pushing greater access to educational opportunities by among other strategies, the Five Bs initiative- Buses, Boats, Bicycles, Breakfast and Books.

Region Three (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands) parliamentary representative, John Adams said none of the PPPC parliamentarians highlighted the Five Bs initiative while they on Monday criticised the failure of the government to reintroduce the GY$10,000 grant.

“Our children are going to school free of cost under this APNU (A Partnership for National Unity) government; whether buses, boats or bicycles, they are going there. Ten thousand dollars per school year only they (PPPC-led government) were giving them, now they (students) are going to school free of cost,” he said.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice) parliamentary representative,

Jermaine Figuera in his 2017 budget debate arguments.  He said money has been set aside to purchase another school bus to further improve transportation of school children, “thus reducing the hindrance of acquiring a good education.”

“This is a much better trade-off than the once a year ten thousand grant to the parent. All year round, students would be transported free on time to and from school. Mr. Speaker, when the investment in transportation is costed against the impact of education delivery, no ten thousand (dollar) per child grant from the PPP can withstand the test of time,” he said.

The cash-grant per child had been introduced in 2014 for each child to support parents to support parents of school-age children to increase their disposable income and boost enrollment and attendance rates.