Privately-Owned Pre-schools Awarded Grant Funding from the Government

Mon, Nov 23rd 2020, 05:54 PM

Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis stated that the goal of providing grants to expand privately-owned pre-schools is to make more seats available for pre-schoolers, and to enable the Government to meet its targets to achieve universal pre-school education.

“I am very happy to be here today for this grant ceremony that will help to advance our vision of universal pre-school education,” the Prime Minister said at the Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre’s (SBDC) Presentation of Grants for Pre-School Owners at the SMDC Gladstone Road Freight Terminal, Monday, November 23, 2020.

“We are focused on assisting with the development of the physical infrastructure to facilitate universal pre-school.

“Toward this end, one million dollars will be made available for preschools directors.”

During the ceremony, the Prime Minister announced that 36 privately-owned preschools will be awarded funding of up to $25,000 each.

“Let me congratulate and encourage those who are receiving these grants. I wish you well in your endeavours to help in the nurturing and growth of our preschoolers.”

He explained that these funds will facilitate: the opening new preschools, the expansion of existing facilities or the improvement of standards at an existing preschool facility.

The Prime Minister also noted that the emphasis is on neighbourhoods where there are fast growing populations and where the need is great for pre-school seats.

He stated that since 2018, approximately 1,825 new pre-school seats were made available in a pre-school program over the two academic years of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020.

The Prime Minister said approximately 3,300 vouchers have been distributed to over 100 privately-owned pre-schools for the three academic years of 2018/2019 to the present 2020/2021.

“These vouchers are valued at approximately $6.6 million. “The Ministry of Education remains committed to its universal pre-school strategy.

He said, “The Ministry is currently still enrolling pre-schoolers for the 2020 academic year, notwithstanding the present challenges of COVID-19.”

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