Hazel: Book grants ready by February

THE $1,000 book grants promised to students in Lower Six Forms will be made available from next month. The promise was made by Education Minister Hazel Manning, when she spoke to Newsday during Thursday’s tea break of the sitting of the Senate. Newsday received complaints from several parents who said they signed forms to receive the grant last December, but had not received the monies to date. The minister said matters with the bankers were being worked out, and now that Cabinet has given final approval for the disbursement of the grants, the monies will be made available to parents from next month. The grants will most likely be made available through the use of a card.   

Concerning the grants which are to be made available to special private schools, Manning said the process was in place and an announcement on when it will take effect will soon be made. She said since the grants are a new initiative, there were issues to be sorted out, which were being addressed by Steve Williams, director of the Student Support Services Unit of the ministry. Manning confirmed the details of the programme as reported by Newsday on Thursday. These include $1,200 per qualifying child for school fees, $1,000 for ancillary services and an additional $800 for families which are financially challenged. However, that sum will only be disbursed after a means test is done.