AS the back-to-school period approaches, with the 2023/24 academic year set to begin on September 4, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) is encouraging vulnerable Jamaican families to apply for support through the Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH).

For over two decades, one of PATH’s core objectives has been to provide beneficiaries with the necessary resources to complete their primary and secondary education and receive support for post-secondary studies. In keeping with this, PATH is highlighting several back-to-school benefits to help ease the burden on parents and caregivers as they prepare for the upcoming school year.

Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr, speaking about the additional benefits, said “With back-to-school right around the corner we want our PATH beneficiaries to be assured that the Government is aware of the challenges they face and will be implementing provisions to help offset some of the costs.”

Charles Jr indicated that with the next PATH beneficiary payment scheduled for mid-August, in addition to regular payments of between $3,800 and $5,600, families will receive an additional amount of $3,500 to help with back-to-school expenses for each child registered in a public school, from grades one through 13.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security Ministry, Colette Roberts Risden emphasised that PATH’s support for its beneficiaries continues even after high school has ended. She said, “If children continue their education after high school they may qualify for a post-secondary grant of up to $30,000 to assist with sitting CXC exams, skills training, certificates, diplomas or associate degrees.”

She further advised that, “There’s also the tertiary bursary, which is available to students from PATH households who are pursuing bachelor’s degrees. With this bursary PATH provides $100,000 annually, for up to four years, once students maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 and meets other requirements outlined by the institution they attend.”

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is reminding beneficiary families to advise the ministry, through their parish offices islandwide, if their child or children will be starting a new school in the September term so that benefits will not be disrupted.

The ministry is also renewing its call for vulnerable individuals who have not yet applied for PATH to do so now at their local parish office. This way, they too can benefit from assistance with uniforms, books, meals, and other allowances throughout the school year.