THE Government of Saint Lucia has reaffirmed its commitment to continue the Book Bursary Programme for the new academic year.
The Programme is expected to assist infant and primary school students whose parents and guardians are unemployed, needy or medically challenged.
School Welfare Coordinator in the Ministry of Education, Cyrillia Lewis said that despite the financial cost of the programme, in existence since 2002, the Ministry of Education is committed to ensure that it can be sustained for years to come.
“It is a programme that costs the Ministry more than $100,000 per year, because we provide textbooks for grades K to grades 6, so it is a very costly programme as you may well understand that the cost of textbooks increase’s every year. Though it is costly, the Ministry always makes sure that we assist parents with their textbooks.”
Lewis also expressed hope that government will continue to provide public assistance, which she says is of great importance in guaranteeing every child an education.
Every year more than 1500 students benefit from the Book Bursary programme. The textbook distribution will take place for five weeks at the St. Aloysius Boys’ R.C. Primary School.