Three families in the northern region experienced significant setbacks as their reliance on the Government’s $200 back-to-school assistance led to their children missing the start of the school year.
Akuila Yacadra, a resident of Kia, took his wife and two daughters to the Northern Divisional Education Office on Monday after expressing their frustration. “We left Kia around 7 am because we are frustrated,” he shared. Despite submitting their application forms last year, they had yet to receive any assistance, compelling them to postpone purchasing essential school supplies and resulting in their children staying at home.
Dibogi Nabibi, who hails from Togaviti, faced a similar predicament. She left her village early in the morning to investigate why her eldest child, who was set to enter Year 11, had not received the expected assistance. “Since school has already started and we have not received it, we decided to come and inquire with the ministry,” she explained, only to discover that her application had not been recorded.
Jaucoro Sucu, the executive officer at the Divisional Education Office, clarified that the delays were primarily due to issues such as incomplete forms, unregistered phone numbers, and verification difficulties. A small number of parents were reportedly asked to resubmit their applications.
Attempts to obtain comments from Education Minister Aseri Radrodro regarding the situation have yet to elicit a response. This story highlights the challenges families face in accessing vital educational support, underscoring the importance of effective communication and processing within government services to prevent further disruptions.
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