The Founder of the Pacific Recycling Foundation Amitesh Deo has welcomed the Government’s $200 back-to-school initiative for the 2024 academic year, saying it will ease the burdens of families from vulnerable and marginalised communities.
Deo says the initiative will assist these families greatly when sending their children back to school after school holidays, especially children of Collection Pillars of Recycling (CPR).
He says for the majority of these CPRs, collecting recyclables is their main source of income and mostly, they find it very challenging to afford back-to-school supplies, considering the rising costs of goods and services.
Deo says the PRF team came across a mother who is a CPR and she shared that at times she would visit the dumpsite just to collect items she felt her child could use in school.
He further says the mother further shared that if her child’s school sandals were damaged, she would go looking for sandals and clothes at the dumpsite and at times if she was lucky, she would find stationery as well.
Deo says this should never be the case and that every child deserves new school supplies for every academic year.
The PRF Founder said the back-to-school initiative announcement made by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, and Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro for families with a combined income of less than $50,000 is timely and would yet again bring smiles to the faces of both parents and students.
Deo has encouraged parents to use the funds for its intended purpose.
He has also called on the Government to consider implementing proper mechanisms that can be used to monitor the use of funds for such initiatives.
He adds that families from vulnerable and marginalised communities would be able to purchase new stationery, uniforms, shoes, and other school supplies for their children.
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