156,000 uniform vouchers distributed to coastland students

Some 156,000 school uniform vouchers have so far been distributed to coastland students in phase one of its programmes, the Education Ministry said in a statement.

Under the coastland programme, some 165,000 vouchers are being distributed to students. Phase one of the programme ended on July 8. The remaining vouchers will be distributed in phase two of the programme, which commences on July 11 and concludes on July 22.

Education Minister Shaik Baksh is urging parents who have not yet uplifted vouchers for their children to do so in the second phase of the initiative. The programme is part of a national drive to bolster students’ attendance throughout the country.

The Gy$300 million programme covers nursery, primary and secondary schools countrywide. A relative can uplift the voucher(s) in the absence of the parent, but must provide an identification card or the child/children’s report card(s).

The vouchers, worth gy$1500 each, are distributed by the students’ class teachers.

In phase two, the distribution time has been adjusted. The distribution at nursery, primary and secondary schools will commence at 11:00h and conclude at 13:00h from Monday to Friday.

The vouchers are redeemable at designated stores in the regions the children reside in.

The Amerindian Affairs Ministry is coordinating distribution in the hinterland regions.

Apart from the school uniform programme, government has also implemented a Gy$1billion school feeding programme which is also geared to improve students’ attendance and performance.

This initiative benefits more than 51,000 students. It caters for pupils of all nursery schools and those at grades one and two at primary schools throughout the country.

Initial reports have indicated that the programme has already started to generate positive results. These initiatives aim to improve students’ attendance, build their self-esteem, provide them better opportunities to complete school, receive a sound education, and make a meaningful contribution to society.

Meanwhile, the National Remedial Programme targeting poor performers in English and mathematics at grades two, three and four at the primary level and grades seven and eight at secondary schools will begin on July 11.

The Education Ministry is pushing for these learners to take their studies seriously and strive to be on top of their work when school reopens in September.

The National Remedial Programme seeks to provide supplementary tuition to learners who gained less than 50 per cent at the 2010/ 2011 annual end- of-year examination. The objective of the programme is to upgrade these learners to an acceptable level so that they would be able to perform better in their new classes when school reopens in September.

Last year, some 13,500 children were part of the one- month enrichment programme which was delivered by 800 teachers. These teachers were trained to impart the programme in a fun- filled environment, and the same format will be used this year.

It will be delivered to targeted learners in clusters at selected schools. The classes will be small to ensure students receive individual attention.

In addition, the students will be provided with snacks on a daily basis and their teachers will be paid a stipend.