Back-to-School shopping can be stressful and financially draining, especially for low-income households. Under Prime Minister Pierre’s leadership, the Government of St. Lucia will ease this burden by cutting costs to make shopping more affordable and hassle-free.
In a Press Briefing address on Monday, Senator Hon. Dr. Pauline Antoine-Prospere confirmed that “this year… the students who went into first year at secondary school, got their $500 bursaries.” Furthermore, she confirmed that “the government has also invested up to $2 million to give back-to-school assistance to parents, to help them buy school uniforms, school shoes, schoolbooks… to the most vulnerable parents… ensuring that their children have a good start for the new academic year that starts on September 2, 2024.”
Parents and guardians can expect the following assistance with back-to-school expenses:
A government-sponsored book bursary program that provides textbooks to primary and infant school students at no cost.
A $500 bursary for new form one students.
A brand-new government-issued laptop for new secondary school students.
Payment of facility fees for secondary school students by the government.
Coverage for Mathematics and English A subjects for CSEC exams.
Additionally, MPs are assisting parents and guardians with back-to-school expenses. With this government support, they aim to ensure that children will be ready to start the new academic year this September!
Source: Government of St. Lucia and St Vincent Times
Photo credit: St. Vincent Times.
