Govt gives back-to-school support to PATH students
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government is introducing a back-to-school grant for beneficiaries under the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH).
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Shahine Robinson, made the announcement this morning at the first of a series of quarterly press briefings that she said her ministry will be hosting.
“This benefit will be payable to all registered PATH students attending primary and secondary schools island-wide, and will be paid at the rate of $3,500 per child,” Robinson told the press.
She said that payments will be made available for collection by beneficiaries on September 11, via the usual methods.
A total of 155,813 children will benefit from the grant, with the average payment to a household being $10,500 for three children.
“I am sure you will agree with me that every child must have the opportunity to stay in school, and every child must have the opportunity to learn. Therefore, this benefit will be paid annually, and will again be paid in the August, 2019 payment cycle and in ensuring years,” the minister said.
Robinson also announced Brittany Munroe and Shanique Davidson as the PATH 15th Anniversary Tertiary Scholarship winners, and handed them their cheques.
Brittany has been awarded $400,000 to continue studies towards a bachelor’s degree in pharmacology at the University of Technology, and Davidson will receive $600,000 towards a bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery at the University of the West Indies (UWI).
During the briefing Robinson gave the press an update on developments in all areas of her ministry.
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Govt_gives_back-to-school_support_to_PATH_students