Finance, education ministries pushing to open students’ minds to National Budget

In an effort to demystify the intricacies of the national budgetary process, the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Youth, is continuing their comprehensive outreach programme targeting secondary school students across Jamaica.

Addressing students from St Catherine and St Jago high schools during a joint session held at St Catherine High School yesterday, Zavia Mayne, state minister in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, stressed the importance of starting the conversation about the Budget with the younger generation.

“Starting the programme with secondary school students is a good place to begin because they represent future leaders,” Mayne said.

He highlighted the significance of the initiative, further stating, “This is a conversation that we deem important, and we want to continue this conversation in our secondary schools.”

He further emphasised the ministry’s commitment to transparency and public engagement, noting that efforts extend beyond school visits to include active engagement through social media platforms, the ministry’s website, and the distribution of a citizen’s guide across Jamaica on the budgetary process.

While not ruling out future town hall meetings, Mayne underscored the progress made in sensitising the public.

“What we need to recognise is where we are coming from and where we are now and the steps and gains that have been made in terms of sensitising the public on the budgetary process and cycle,” he stated.

Education Minister Fayval Williams expressed her support for the programme’s integration into the curriculum, particularly through the reintroduction of Civics education.

Said Williams, “The budget process should be a part of that going forward.”

Claudia Mills-Dillion, a business administration teacher at St Catherine High School, echoed the sentiment, emphasising the importance of equipping students with an understanding of the Budget’s implications.

“The students are the ones we expect to be running the country a few years from now, so they need to have an understanding of what the Budget is and how it affects them,” she remarked.

Dominique Williams, deputy head girl at St Catherine High School, advocated for wider dissemination of Budget information.

She asserted, “Everyone should have access to information on how money is being spent in the country, so, yes, I agree it should be in a wider context.”

The programme, which began last year and is set to expand to thirteen schools this year, aims to empower Jamaican youth with the knowledge and understanding necessary to actively engage in the nation’s fiscal processes.

editorial@gleanerjm.com