The opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has expressed renewed concern over the high cost of living as parents prepare to send their children back to school.
UWP Public Relations Officer Lenard 'Spider' Montoute told a news conference Thursday that aside from crime, the most pressing issue is high prices.
The former Gros Islet MP told reporters that single mothers who have children in school are the ones who feel the impact more.
He observed that with schools reopening in the next few days, mothers must provide uniforms, school books, transportation, and other necessities to ensure their children return to class.
"This is normally a traumatic time for single mothers especially," Montoute explained.
He recalled that when the UWP was in office, it took steps to make life easier for parents.
"That is to provide children with E-books," Montoute told the news conference.
He observed that the devices came with downloaded textbooks, the licenses for which the government paid so parents would not have to buy the books.
Montoute urged the government to reconsider implementing the E-books.
The former MP said although it was a UWP initiative, once a good idea benefits the people, it should not be scrapped due to political considerations.
Montoute declared that it was not uncommon, especially at the secondary school level, that one textbook could cost over one hundred dollars.
"I shudder to think how of how some of those parents could manage, especially those with more than one child," he told reporters.
"I call on the government to show conscience, to show consideration and have a heart, especially for the poor," the former Minister said.
In addition, he called on the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) administration to reverse some of the measures it put in place, making life more difficult, especially for poor people.
"We are looking for the government to provide greater assistance to single mothers and poor parents in assisting them in providing for their children who have to return to school very soon," the UWP official stated.
Headline photo: Stock image.
No comments:
Post a Comment