‘Because We Care’ cash grant: Minister Manickchand claps back at Norton over ‘barefaced’ comments – Guyana Chronicle

-reminds public that it was their money that APNU+AFC took away in 2015

EDUCATION Minister Priya Manickchand has clapped back at Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton over his recent swipe at the “Because We Care” cash grant, a PPP/C initiative launched in 2014.

 

Taking to the People’s National Congress (PNC) Facebook page, Mr Norton criticised the programme, stating: The PPP/C wants you to thank them for handing out tens of thousands, while billions are siphoned off to their friends, family, and favourites. Let’s be clear, those grants are not gifts; they’re your money. All of Guyana’s resources belong to its people.”

 

Rebutting the criticism, Minister Manickchand pointed out that it was the APNU +AFC that dismantled the initiative when they assumed office in 2015.

 

“I don’t usually bother with Aubrey, cause I kinda like him. I like that dance kinda thing he does. Plus, nobody else don’t really bother with him. But on this issue: he barefaced. It was your money too my friends when his party refused to give it to you from 2015 -2020,” Manickchand wrote on her Facebook page.

 

The initiative provides a cash grant to school-aged children to assist families with education-related expenses.

 

The grant amount has steadily increased over the years: from $10,000 in 2014, it was discontinued during 2015-2020, then reinstated and raised to $40,000 in 2024, and further increased to $50,000 in 2025. Along with a $5,000 school uniform voucher, the total support per child is $55,000 as of 2025.

 

Over 205,000 children benefit annually, with the government allocating approximately $11 billion in the 2025 budget for this initiative.

 

The grant covers nursery, primary, and secondary students and aims to reduce the financial burden on families, helping with school supplies and uniform.

 

“They didn’t even have to conceive of the programme. The PPP/C started it and left it there for them. They snatched it from you and replaced it with nothing. At that time, it was costing $1.6B. When they took this away they increased their dietary allocation by $1.6B,” the minister said.

 

She added: “So, it wasn’t that they did not have the money…they didn’t want you to have it. Serving you was not their priority. It is ours, as you can see from our actions. Because We Care!”