The Ministry of Education wishes to advise parents and the community at large that education is not only the responsibility of the government but for everyone particularly the parents and guardians.
Today, the government is providing transport assistance to children who travel to school either by bus or boats or mini buses.
This assistance goes to families, whose parents’ joint income is below $15,000 per annum.
Starting this year, the government is providing free textbooks to all children in schools. The assistance is proposed to be completed by 2011.
The provision of tuition fees through grants and scholarships are another major form of education assistance the government is providing.
Furthermore, the government is building schools in education-disadvantaged areas to bring education much closer to the people.
The concern of the Ministry is based on the number of queries being raised from the public about what other assistances the government is doing.
The Ministry of Education acknowledges that education is a costly exercise but it is even more costly for a child not to have an education.
While the Ministry of Education is doing its best to assist parents and guardians in sending children to school, it wishes to advise everyone that Education is a cost sharing business between the users meaning the parents, students and the provider, which is the government.
Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged and advised to prioritise their obligations and place children’s education at the fore. All other commitments should be attended to after children’s educational expenses are settled.
It is scriptural that we begin our services at home and that means the education, health and safety of our family members, particularly children.
The Ministry also welcomes the initiatives of charitable organizations in providing for families in need, especially for the purpose of sending children to school.
There are organizations and individuals, who love to provide these acts of piety, which the government welcomes gratefully.
Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture and Arts, Youth and Sports, Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment,
Mr Filipe Bole