The Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development, Esrom Immanuel, has reassured families that the government is diligently working to provide timely distribution of Back-to-School financial assistance as applications continue to be processed. In light of recent concerns regarding delays during the second week of the school year, he encouraged parents to exercise patience, emphasizing that all applications are undergoing verification.
Immanuel underscored the importance of increasing efficiency by transitioning from a paper-based to an electronic application system, which aims to reduce delays and streamline the processing of requests. He highlighted that accurate completion of applications is vital, as any discrepancies could lead to complications after financial assistance has been distributed.
“Indeed, we have made efforts to transition from paper to electronic forms of application. This is significantly easier and also helps schools prepare for the release of funds,” he stated. The minister acknowledged that distribution timing has been problematic this year, particularly as it coincided with school breaks, prompting plans for a review to enhance the timing of future financial support programs.
Currently, about 9,000 applications are still pending, but Immanuel believes that lessons learned from this year’s experiences will aid in refining and aligning future assistance schemes more effectively with the school calendar. The government continues to urge parents and guardians to carefully verify their application details while reaffirming their commitment to ensuring that all eligible families receive the necessary Back-to-School financial support.
This proactive approach illustrates the government’s commitment to educational support and the improvement of processes involved, aiming to equip students and families with essential resources for a successful academic year ahead. With ongoing efforts to enhance the distribution system, there is optimism that future support will be more efficient and timely, ultimately benefiting the educational community as a whole.