Neither flaws nor discrimination in uniform distribution process
–
Minister Shadick
The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security
has distributed over $33M in vouchers for school uniform assistance
for Nursery, Primary and Secondary school students.
Minister Bibi Shadick stated that 3,217 vouchers were distributed
for nursery school children valued at $1,500 each. For primary
school children 7,486 vouchers were distributed while for secondary
schools 3,045 were distributed. The allocated amount for each
child was $2,500 for a primary student and $3,000 for a secondary
student.
This means that $4,825,500 was spent on nursery school children
and $18,705,000 and $9,135,000 on Primary and Secondary school
children respectively.
The Ministry also made a $750,000 contribution to the Ministry
of Amerindian Affairs to assist persons in the Hinterland Regions.
Two sewing groups in Region Seven were given $100,000 to sew clothes
for persons in their areas. The amount spent on stationery was
$132,900.
Minister Shadick is encouraging schools to send to the Ministry
reports of children not attending school because they had no school
uniforms. The allocation remaining will be used to assist such
persons.
Through the Difficult Circumstances Unit at the Ministry, a large
number of persons received financial and other support so that
their children may attend school. According to the Minister, help
is given throughout the year. The $34M approved by Cabinet was
to assist persons before the September 2003 school term.
General Secretary of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR)
Oscar Clarke, in a letter to the Ministry of Human Services and
Social Security stated that there are some persons practicing
overt discrimination against Guyanese who are perceived to be
non-supporters of the Government.
Minister Shadick stated that there was no system in place at the
Ministry to allow any discriminatory practices in the distribution
system.
Further, the PNCR did not submit lists for areas outside of Georgetown.
The Ministry, however, ensured that there was wide coverage in
the distribution system, which includes all Amerindian villages.
The Minister stated that the Ministry officials tried as well,
to ensure that seriously depressed areas were assisted.
The Ministry had urged persons to begin sending lists of persons
in need of assistance since last July which were to be forwarded
to the Regional offices.
In June, Cabinet approved $34M for use to provide assistance to
needy parents so that their children may attend school.
Last year $31M was expended for similar support.
As regards other accusations levelled against the Ministry of
Human Services and Social Security, of possible flaws in the distribution
system, the Minister stated that "all records of the Ministry
are always audited and this has been so "every year since
they (the PPPC) is in Government".
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Saturday
September 6, 2003