The People’s National Party (PNP) has committed to introduce what it calls the Ensuring Adequate Sustenance for Education (EASE) programme to overhaul the country’s underperforming education sector, if it is elected to office.

The commitment was given by Opposition spokesman on finance and the public service Julian Robinson as he made his contribution to the 2025/26 Budget Debate at Gordon House on Thursday.

Describing the programme as “a solution for cost of living pressures”, Robinson stated that “one of the biggest financial burdens on struggling Jamaican families is the daily cost of sending their children to school — not just bus fare, but lunch money”.

“Many parents simply cannot afford it. And for too many children this means inconsistent attendance or going to school hungry, unable to focus, unable to learn, and ultimately unable to achieve their full potential. That is why the Opposition is committing to introducing the EASE Programme,” Robinson said.

The programme, he insisted, will be a real solution to ease financial pressure on parents while ensuring that no child in Jamaica has to learn on an empty stomach, as it will also guarantee that every needy student, from primary to secondary school, receives one nutritious meal per day at school, with a long-term plan to include breakfast.

“This is a solution that will put money back in the pockets of parents who are already struggling with the rising cost of living. With this initiative, parents will no longer have to worry about finding lunch money every morning. That extra money can now go towards food at home, bills, and other critical household expenses,” Robinson said.

Noting that the Government is likely to argue that students already receive meals in schools, Robinson pointed out that this is limited to those on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH).

“The truth is that many struggling families do not qualify for PATH due to some of its requirements. We on this side know that even if a family doesn’t meet PATH’s criteria, it doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling. That is the difference between us and them. The reality is that thousands of children go to school hungry every day simply because their parents are barely getting by,” said Robinson.

He said the EASE programme will be phased in smoothly, ensuring an efficient roll-out that maximises impact while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

“This is what leadership should look like — finding practical solutions that make life easier for the people, not just tinkering around the edges,” he said.

Robinson said Opposition Leader Mark Golding will address the PNP’s transportation plan in his budget presentation next Tuesday but stated that, “If you can’t afford lunch money, chances are you can’t afford bus fare either. So we are making sure that parents don’t have to choose between food and education. Send the child to school and we will ensure they eat,” he assured.

“That is what responsible, people-centred governance looks like. That is the PNP’s commitment to the Jamaican people,” he said.

Speaking more widely to education as part of the PNP’s proposed Four-E Strategy to grow the economy, Robinson said education was the foundation upon which economic transformation will be built.

“Without a strong base in literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking, all other investments in skills training, infrastructure, and industry will fall short. If we do not fix the crisis in basic education, no amount of spending on STEM or workforce training will be enough to propel Jamaica forward,” Robinson stated.

He also cautioned the Government against creating six “elitist” STEAM schools, suggesting that instead the STEAM programme be introduced in all schools to give all students an equal opportunity to excel.

Additionally, Robinson said the PNP will redirect funding to early childhood and primary education, where it can make the greatest impact.

“The ability to read, write, and do basic arithmetic is the foundation of productivity in any modern economy. If we fail here, we will continue to see a workforce unprepared for the demands of global competition,” Robinson said.

He said that a future PNP Government will ensure that every child leaves primary school fully literate and numerate, implementing national interventions to close the “devastating learning gaps left by the pandemic”.

“In this regard, we will review the automatic progression of students who can’t read or write at the required grade level,” Robinson told the House.

“In this regard, we will review the automatic progression of students who can’t read or write at the required grade level,” he said.

Additionally, the PNP will retrain teachers to focus on literacy and numeracy mastery in the early years, equipping them with the tools needed to build strong academic foundations and restructure curricula to prioritise literacy and numeracy from the earliest levels, rather than allowing students to be pushed through the system without these essential skills.

Robinson said the PNP will align education with industry needs, “ensuring that our workforce is trained in the skills that drive economic growth”.