Over 4,000 applications for the Back-to-School Assistance program are currently undergoing verification as students enter the seventh week of the academic year. Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro announced that out of 212,845 applications submitted, an outstanding 208,764 have been approved, resulting in a remarkable 98 percent approval rate.
The government has committed a substantial $42.1 million to this important initiative, designed to cover school fees and various education-related expenses. So far, $41.8 million has been disbursed directly to families, providing crucial support for essential school costs.
Radrodro specified that the 4,081 applications still pending mainly stem from issues such as duplicate submissions or incomplete details. The ministry is working in close partnership with the Ministry of Finance to resolve these issues quickly. To provide reassurance to parents and guardians, the minister stressed the ongoing efforts to ensure that no eligible child is left without assistance as the application process is finalized.
This initiative underscores the government’s dedication to enhancing educational access and equity for all families. With a high approval rate and continued diligence in addressing outstanding applications, there is a hopeful outlook that the program will further benefit students and their families in the coming weeks.