The Ministry of Education has announced that its “Because We Care” cash grant program will begin disbursements on Monday, bringing much-anticipated relief to parents across Guyana. Under the initiative, every child enrolled in a public or private school is entitled to a cash grant – this year set at GY$40,000 per student. With over 200,000 students eligible nationwide, the payout represents a significant direct support to households to help cover education-related expenses.
Education officers confirmed that teams will fan out to schools in all regions starting May 12 to hand out the grant vouchers. Parents/guardians need to present a valid ID and the child’s documents to redeem the cash. The distribution will be staggered by grade levels to avoid crowds, and health protocols remain in place. The Ministry urged parents to check the published schedule for their area. “We are ensuring every parent gets this assistance in a timely and safe manner,” Education Minister Priya Manickchand said in a statement.
The Because We Care grant was first introduced by the PPP/C government in 2014 at $10,000 per child, halted under the previous administration, and then reintroduced and increased when the PPP/C returned to office in 2020. It has since grown annually – last year it was $30,000, and this year it jumps to $40,000, fulfilling a promise in the national budget. In addition to this base grant, students will also receive the separate School Uniform and Supplies grant of $5,000, meaning each child effectively gets $45,000 total. For a family with multiple school-age children, this is a substantial sum.
President Irfaan Ali, who championed the program’s return, often cites it as part of the government’s efforts to ease the cost of living and invest in education. The cash can be used at the parent’s discretion – commonly for textbooks, uniforms, transportation, or even groceries to support the child. With prices of many essentials still high, parents say the grant is arriving at a good time. One single mother of three in Berbice told The Guyana Project she plans to “finally buy a tablet for my kids to help with their assignments”. Another parent in Essequibo said the money will go toward new shoes and school bags that she struggled to afford.
The opposition has occasionally criticized the program’s sustainability, but the government insists it will continue to expand it. As of Monday, many families will line up with relief and gratitude. The cash grant, Minister Manickchand notes, is “an investment in our children’s future” – and thousands of parents are about to put that investment to use.
