MINISTER of Social Services and Urban Development Obie Wilchcombe. (File photo)
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS
lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
SOCIAL Services Minister Obie Wilchcombe anticipates the ministry will help over a thousand students with school uniforms this year.
During his budget debate contribution in June, the minister said financial assistance for school uniform purchases will be doubled compared to previous years. “What was $400,000 is now $800,000,” he said. The minister added that only $95,000 was spent for uniform assistance from last year’s Budget.
“No child will be left behind. No child will not have the support,” he said previously.
Yesterday, when asked if the Ministry had seen an increase in persons seeking assistance as school will soon open, he said: “I can’t tell you that yet, I will know that by early next year. I know there have been one or two people who have spoken to me and I have directed them to the ministry.”
“It’ll obviously be several hundred depending on (this) and I’m anticipating at least more than a thousand, but then again I don’t know official numbers yet.”
Mr Wilchcombe said his ministry is dedicated to meeting the needs of those vulnerable Bahamian families.
“I’m sure the demand will be there given the state of the growing economy. The truth is that many are still not where they were three-four years ago because of Dorian and the pandemic,” he said.
He said his ministry is preparing to get messages out to children.
“We are trying to get rid of all problems and troubles that our young people face and we want to do so more quickly, as opposed to waiting for something to happen and then reacting,” he said.
According to Mr Wilchcombe, the government is also planning after school programmes for youth.
“We are setting up programmes for young people to learn dance, theatre, poetry, writing, judo and karate,” he said. “We want to give our children more to do - give them a cause which to work for and I guarantee you the children will be better.”
He also commented that with the recent spike in drownings, Bahamians were reminded to “be your brother’s keeper.”
“We must be our brother’s keeper, we must keep our eyes open and look out for each other. I think it’s imperative for us to again become our neighbour’s keeper. Remember it takes a village to raise a child and we’re talking about looking out, guiding, give that representation when the parent is not there.”
Comments
bahamianson 2 years, 2 months ago
Oh, so a mother of 4 children all from different sperm donors has a right to have 4 more kids so my VAT can go up to support her lifestyle because no child is left behind? Utter Bull Chip! What you need to do is start preaching birth control and self discipline.
themessenger 2 years, 2 months ago
Buy shares in Obadiah's Tailoring and Dress Shoppe, genuine blue chip stuff, dividends assured on new school term opening.
SP 2 years, 2 months ago
Unemployment and under-employment is a problem created by successive governments.
The government need to get rid of 50% of blue-collar expats and put our people back to work so they can take care of themselves.
bahamianson 2 years, 2 months ago
Sp, you mean like all those workers with government jobs? How is that working out for us?
SP 2 years, 2 months ago
We can't blame poor work ethics on the workers. The governments lousy management skills is on them, not the workers!
ohdrap4 2 years, 2 months ago
These annual uniforms are a racket. In my time, the dressmaker made uniforms to last 3 years. How?
With sufficient fabric in the seams to let out as we grew. We are talking like 2 inch side seams and 4 inch hems.
sheeprunner12 2 years, 2 months ago
Why focus on dressing up when the kids have no manners and respect for their teachers???
The children need home training more than new clothes.
moncurcool 2 years, 2 months ago
So the amount for uniform is increased, but when asked if there is an increase in persons requesting uniforms, the Minister does not know. So what what the increase in the budget for uniforms based on? Just sticking a finger in the air?
Unbelievable!
sheeprunner12 2 years, 2 months ago
You spend what you need to spend. If you spent 95K in 2021-22, why would you need to spend 800K in 2022-23? So, what about school lunches? Is it going to increase by 700% as well?????
He admitted that he has no reason for that huge increase.
It's obvious what is going on there ........
TalRussell 2 years, 2 months ago
Where's the wisdom have students in the year 2022 be required to wear those 1950's ungodly looking school uniforms when there's a solid argument that 'school uniforms' have lil, if anything, to do with improving the 'readin', writin' or spoken academic achievement ... nor improve attendance, academic preparedness, or exam results ― Yes?
sheeprunner12 2 years, 2 months ago
Compare American to Chinese & Japanese schools. Then answer that Q for yourself.
The British education system had it right. American schools are almost out of control compared to other First World countries.
TalRussell 2 years, 2 months ago
Coming back @ComradeSheeprunner12, do Long Island's students clean up after themselves? ... Do your students clean their own school? .... And. Comrade, I'm not giving marks occasionally, if asked, wipe down chalkboard ..... When the Japanese students clean every school day.** ― Yes?
.......... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL5mKE4…
JokeyJack 2 years, 2 months ago
Oh yes, the uniforms that equalize the rich and poor - LOL. It would be cheaper to juat buy grits by the 4oft containere and keep the kids home until it's time for them to clean the hotel rooms.
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