Speaking at a recent press conference, Dr Wheatley said he did not want to pre-empt discussions that are ongoing in the House of Assembly, but that he was very excited about the plans that are being discussed.

“I am excited that we are going to open up a new revenue stream that is going to allow for us to better support people doing after-school programmes. If it does come through, we are going to be looking at after-school programmes around the entire territory,” the Minister of Education and Youth Affairs said.

“We will be better able to provide assistance to persons in sports, in culture and even our churches. It is something I am looking forward to this year,” Dr Wheatley continued.

The youth affairs minister said persons can look forward to positive things happening in this regard, but persons should not think that nothing has been happening to support after-school programmes.

Dr Wheatley noted there has been a lot of assistance being provided to persons through grants offered by the ministry, but the grants are limited and for that reason, he is excited about the new revenue stream that will open up and better assist with after-school programmes for the territory’s youths.

Meanwhile, in January 2020, Premier and First District Representative Andrew Fahie had urged other district representatives in the territory to emulate him and implement after-school programmes for youngsters in their respective constituencies.

Fahie made the call while stating that the Bambelela After-school Programme in his district has positively impacted the students of his community. His Homework Study Programme officially started in 2014.