As the academic year begins, families dealing with financial hardships are receiving vital assistance to help cover school expenses. The Foundation for the Education of Needy Children (FENC) is partnering with the Ministry of Education to help alleviate the financial strains of purchasing school supplies. To assist in this initiative, the Ministry has allocated $300,000 to FENC specifically for this cause.
FENC plans to provide $100 for each student to help cover essential stationery costs, specifically targeting low-income households. According to Nirmala Nambiar, the National Executive Coordinator of FENC, the organization has already aided approximately 5,000 students, including those living in remote islands and interior communities.
Nambiar highlighted the challenges of existing financial support for school preparations, mentioning that the current allocation is often insufficient. She stated, “You can’t prepare a child to go back to school for $200. If I go to a shop and buy three pairs of uniform and shoes, that $200 is not enough. We provide backpacks and books according to the class or form they fill in the application form.”
This program is intended to complement the assistance given by the Ministry of Education, recognizing that the $200 provided may not suffice to cover all necessary school supplies for some families. FENC’s initiative aims to ensure that children are adequately prepared for school, alleviating some of the burdens faced by families dealing with unstable incomes.
This collaborative effort highlights a broader commitment to making education more accessible and ensuring that each child has the resources necessary for a successful school year. The positive outcomes of such support could enhance educational achievements, paving the way for a brighter future for the community as a whole.