As the new academic year gets underway, families facing unstable incomes are receiving crucial assistance to help cover school expenses. The Foundation for the Education of Needy Children (FENC) is collaborating with the Ministry of Education to alleviate the financial burden of purchasing school supplies. To this end, the Ministry has allocated $300,000 to FENC for this initiative.
To support students from low-income households, the foundation has designated $100 per student specifically for stationery purchases. FENC’s National Executive Coordinator, Nirmala Nambiar, announced that the foundation has extended support to approximately 5,000 students, reaching even remote islands and interior communities.
Nambiar highlighted the financial challenges many families face, remarking, “You can’t prepare a child to go back to school for $200. If I go to a shop and buy three pairs of uniforms and shoes, that $200 is not enough. We provide backpacks and books as per the class or form they fill in the application form.”
The program is designed to complement the assistance provided by the Ministry of Education, which typically offers $200 per family. However, Nambiar noted that this amount often falls short of meeting all stationery needs for some households.
FENC emphasizes that its support aims to ensure children are adequately prepared for school while reducing the stress on families struggling with uncertain financial situations. The initiative reflects a collective commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for all children, regardless of their economic background.
Leave a comment