Financial assistance is not specifically granted by my Department to provide items to assist individual slow learners. The scheme of capitation grants, however, is designed to assist schools with their general operating costs, including the cost of equipment.
I have made significant improvements in these grants since the commencement of my term in office. The standard capitation grant for primary schools has been increased from £33 in the 1992-93 school year to £45 in the 1995-96 school year.
I am satisfied that these increases represent a very positive step towards improving the financial position of primary schools and are a considerable achievement in light of the tight budgetary constraints.