00:00Former Education Minister Dr. Nayan Gatsby-Dolley questioned the Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath
00:07during the Standing Finance Committee about outstanding payments and the future of the school grant program.
00:13The exchange revealed that for the second consecutive fiscal year, there was no allocation for the grant.
00:19The Minister of Education says the future of the program remains under review.
00:23The funding for the grant will be dealt with in the mid-year.
00:29Presently, we are re-evaluating the efficiency and reach of the book grant.
00:33Gatsby-Dolley told the committee she was aware of applicants who received official confirmation but had not received their money.
00:41She added that the issue was repeatedly raised in the past.
00:45The MP for St. Anne's East questioned Minister Dowlath on whether those applicants would receive their grants during the current
00:52fiscal year.
00:53Persons who have been approved and who have not received the book grant, will they receive it in this fiscal?
01:00In response, the Education Minister maintained that all payments from the previous fiscal year's allocation of $20 million were made,
01:08adding that a total of 20,733 book grants were distributed.
01:13However, Gatsby-Dolley pressed the Minister further for a clear answer.
01:17I'm representing 28,000 constituents, and I'm asking on behalf of them, because I've asked this question over and over.
01:22If it is that no more will pay for this fiscal, that's the answer, that's the answer.
01:26Will any more be disbursed in this fiscal to those who have not comments?
01:30I'll remember some time to answer.
01:33So, Madam Chair, for you, all approved applications were paid out by the Ministry of Education.
01:44Dowlath maintained that all approved applicants received the payment from the Ministry of Education.
01:49Charlotte Histo, TV6 News.
