Healthier Snack Options And School Attendance Still Top Of Mind For MOE

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The impact the Value Added Tax has on students, and class attendance as the school year winds down.

The Education Minister is weighing in on these important matters saying, the slash hopefully gives parents an opportunity for healthier snack alternatives and that government is still seeking to find ways to make sure all students attend school regularly. Our Joshua Williams reports.

Education Minister, Glenys Hanna-Martin, touting the benefits of government’s 5% slash to VAT rates on uncooked foods.

Prime Minister Philip Davis, made the announcement earlier this year, applying the reduction to grocery store food items with a few exceptions.

Some of the items include fresh fruits and vegetables, baby food, lunch snacks and frozen foods.

And as the country keeps an eye on the global trade wars, Hanna-Martin believes the measure will be good for residents seeking to cut costs.

Earlier this week I took to the streets, asking shoppers if they noticed a change on their grocery bills, some of them parents who said they normally buy snacks in bulk for their kids.

The Education Minister says the cut coincides with what her ministry has been working to accomplish.

And while it’s not connected to Value Added Tax, the Education Minister also sharing that they are still noticing a number of students not attending school but, the National School Attendance hotline is seeking to fix that.