Charles wants improved systems to track impact of PATH

THE SECOND staging in a series of town hall meetings to discuss potential enhancements to the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), took place at St Gabriel’s Anglican Church Hall in May Pen, Clarendon, on Wednesday. It featured representatives from the Ministry of Education, local agencies, sixth-form students and PATH beneficiaries and was facilitated by a panel of ministry personnel led by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr.

Charles stressed the need for improved monitoring and evaluation systems to track the impact of PATH. “There is a need for more comprehensive data collection and analysis methodology to accurately measure the effectiveness of PATH. Implementing robust systems and software to monitor the progress of beneficiaries will significantly contribute to the programme’s overhaul, ensuring accuracy and bolstering credibility.”

A release noted that the event underscored the ministry’s “unwavering commitment to transform PATH while placing a strong emphasis on ensuring that the poor and vulnerable families in our society are adequately identified and offered the opportunities and benefits they need, tailored to their specific situations”.

The town hall further emphasised the labour ministry’s relationship with the Ministry of Education and local agencies, whose mandate and focus include ensuring poverty alleviation across the island. “Partnering with stakeholders is a key strategy for the ministry’s transformation of PATH. Forming alliances with organisations dedicated to building a better Jamaica reflects our desire to fulfil the Vision 2030 goals,” the minister said.