Gov’t providing vulnerable families with grant support for educational expenses

Vulnerable families requiring assistance with school-related expenses for their children can apply to receive support through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's Education and Social Intervention Grant.

The grant is available to assist children whose regular attendance at school is affected by their parents' or guardians' inability to provide uniforms, schoolbooks and other basic needs.

“So this one more focuses on the social needs. So the child has no uniform, they have no shoes, they need a lab coat… if they do not have certain [things] to allow them to go to school, that's what this programme caters for. So, it's not so much to pay your school fee… it's a social need [provision],” Acting Director for Disaster, Rehabilitation and Welfare Management in the Ministry, Jacqueline Shepherd, told JIS News.

The one-time grant of $80,000 is available to improve the social resilience of persons in need.

Shepherd informed that persons on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) can also apply to benefit from the initiative.

“They can, based on the need because… [PATH] is given and provides some assistance. But outside of that, based on the composition of the family, there can be other educational needs,” she points out.

Shepherd advised that to access the grant, persons may be referred by their Member of Parliament, Guidance Counsellor or Justice of the Peace, or they can reach out to any of the Ministry's offices islandwide and apply.

“Most times, these persons are referred by their guidance counsellors at the school. Members of Parliament might call to say, 'There's a lady in my community, she approached me [and advised] that this child has not gone to school for two days… three days'. When we check, they don't even have food to eat, they don't have any uniform. This is what the programme caters for educational-wise… anything that is impacting the child's attendance,” she explained.

Shepherd further informs that the Ministry receives applications for assistance under the programme in the months of July, August and October, as well as between December and January.

“So, you can understand that it's a grant that is tied to the academic year… . It is when you get the bulk of these applications,” she shared.

Meanwhile, student grant beneficiary at the Norman Manley Law School, Damario Patterson, expresses appreciation for the assistance received under the programme.

“I, at the beginning of the year, had some pledges from a few sponsors. But as the time winded down and I was reaching out to see when they'd be able to fulfil those commitments, I was made aware that they would no longer be able to. This came as a surprise to me, of course, and so… with only a week left before my exams, I had to really reach out to see how I could be assisted, and somebody recommended trying to apply for this grant… so I did,” he said.

“I did my interview, and I was happy to be notified that I was going to be receiving some help. It really came as a blessing because it was very short notice, and I really did not have any alternative at the time,” the student added.

Patterson successfully completed his law exams and has matriculated to his final year, commencing September.

He notes that among the things he loves about Jamaica are the wide-ranging social intervention programmes and grants that are available to assist people in need.

“I know that we, as a people, sometimes can be very proud, and it seems to many people to be embarrassing to ask for help, but there is no shame in needing some assistance, and I'd encourage anybody who needs that assistance to take it. This grant is one grant you can apply for and I'm sure it will be of great assistance to you, and you, too, can get back on your feet,” Patterson said.

For more information on the Education and Social Intervention Grant or any of the Ministry's other public assistance programmes, persons may call 876-922-8000-13.

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