“Because We Care” cash grant to increase significantly in coming years – VP Jagdeo

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration will aim to significantly increase the “Because We Care” cash grant in the coming years, as part of its wider agenda to ease the financial burden on parents and expand access to education across the country.

This announcement was made by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo during a recent community meeting at Pomona Sports Ground, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

There, the Vice President reaffirmed the PPP/C’s commitment to ensuring that every child in Guyana is supported through a strong and inclusive education system.

Dr Jagdeo made it clear that the government’s plans for the education sector are far from complete. He told the gathering that the “Because We Care” grant — which currently stands at $50,000 per child annually — will be increased in the next term.

“In the next term in office, this will grow significantly too, for the children. So every year they’ll get an allocation from the government,” the Vice President announced

He explained that this expansion forms part of a broader plan to fully remove the costs associated with educating children in Guyana — from nursery right through to university.

Jagdeo pointed to the many achievements already made in the sector. Upon returning to office in 2020, the PPP/C restored the “Because We Care” cash grant, which had been scrapped by the previous administration. The grant was not only reinstated but gradually increased to $50,000 per child per year and expanded to include private school students.

Over 200,000 children now benefit from this support annually.

The Vice President underscored that this is only the beginning of what is envisioned. In the coming years, he said the government plans to build a system in which parents no longer have to worry about costs associated with their children’s education.

As part of this vision, the PPP/C has already delivered on several other key promises, including free tertiary education and the payment of up to eight CSEC and CAPE examination fees for all secondary school students.

“We promised to make university education free. This year, we have done so. UG tuition is no longer. We also promised 20,000 scholarships. We already did over 30,000. Go get it!” he urged.

In addition, the administration has introduced a $100,000 grant for every newborn, signalling its intention to support children from the very beginning of life.

“When you have a child, even now, we’ve given a grant of $100,000 for newborns. But when you get a child, you don’t have to worry about your education any longer, because from nursery all the way to university, the government will take care of the costs associated with this,” he added.

Jagdeo stressed that the party’s focus on education is not just about increasing numbers but about creating long-term opportunities and ensuring that every child in Guyana has a chance to succeed, regardless of their background.