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The Government has fulfilled two critical budget commitments designed to strengthen early childhood education: providing a $3,000 grant to every registered private preschool and offering a $100 per-term tuition subsidy for parents with children enrolled in privately owned preschools across the island. On October 24, preschool administrators from 106 institutions convened at Château Heritage in Dennery to receive their cheques, marking a significant milestone in the Government’s long-term plan for universal early childhood education. The $3,000 grant, increased from last year’s $2,500, empowers preschools to enhance classrooms, teaching materials, and overall learning environments. Additionally, the $100 tuition subsidy delivers direct financial relief to 3,635 families, ensuring that every child has access to quality education, regardless of their family’s financial situation. Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre commended the dedication of preschool administrators and teachers who are pivotal in nurturing and shaping the next generation. He acknowledged the daily challenges facing parents striving to provide their children with a quality education, asserting that this investment directly supports both families and educators. Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology, and Vocational Education Training, Shawn Edward, emphasized that these grants and tuition subsidies are integral to the Government’s overarching goal of improving equity and quality in early learning, ensuring that financial constraints do not hold any child back. Altogether, these initiatives represent a robust investment of $681,500 in the nation’s youngest learners—an investment underscoring this Government’s philosophy that early education is a fundamental right, not a privilege.
