The Government of Jamaica is providing more than $2 billion in back-to-school grants to beneficiary students under the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) and the Poor Relief Programme.
More than 150,000 students in primary and secondary schools are each set to receive $10,000 in added benefits provided by the Special Economic Relief Programme.
This programme was recently announced by Minister of Finance, Dr Nigel Clarke and is in addition to the annual PATH Back to School Grant of $3,500 per beneficiary student.
That payment was introduced in September 2018.
The back-to-school grants are being delivered to eligible families, along with the regular bi-monthly PATH payout, which began on August 22, 2022.
In addition to the back-to-school grants, the government has budgeted a further $40 million for post-secondary grants, as incentives to former beneficiary students who stay in education up to associate degree level.
An additional $424 million will be provided in tertiary bursaries for those pursuing bachelor’s degrees in tertiary institutions accredited by the University Council of Jamaica.
Each tertiary bursary is valued at $100,000 per year and is available for up to four years of study, dependent on satisfactory performance.
