The PNCR's human services department has begun distribution of school vouchers totalling $800,000 to vulnerable children across the country.

So far the department has distributed vouchers in Regions Four, Ten and Three and will soon move to Regions Two and Five, central executive member and chairperson of the department, Volda Lawrence said yesterday.

Lawrence said the vouchers this year are in two categories: a $1,500 voucher primarily for nursery and primary school students and a $2,000 one for secondary school students.

Lawrence said parents do not have to purchase uniform materials with the voucher but they can redeem footwear, school bags and other school supplies.

This year's vouchers are a combination of donations from public citizens as well as funds raised by the department.

Lawrence also made a call for businesses and private citizens to come forward and assist children who do not have the means to purchase school uniforms.

Lawrence added that her department has been distributing vouchers since 1999 when the department was formed. She contended that they had to do this because there was discrimination in the government's system of distributing vouchers to citizens. It is a charge the government has denied.