A total of $822.2 million has been earmarked to continue school rehabilitation, infrastructure upgrade and construction projects, being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), during the upcoming fiscal year.

Details of the provision are outlined in the 2025/26 Estimates of Expenditure, tabled recently in the House of Representatives by Finance Minister Fayval Williams.

Approximately $572.5 million of the sum is programmed to rehabilitate special education units at Lowe River and Grange Hill primary schools, while safe passage works will be done at Old Harbour and Grange Hill primary.

The provision will fund the rehabilitation of 1.5 kilometres of roadway; facilitate project audit and prepare the project completion report, inclusive of beneficiary satisfaction surveys.

The works will be done under the Capacity Building for Education and Livelihoods Development Project.

This engagement is intended to reduce the incidence of poverty in low-income vulnerable communities by livelihood enhancement and human resource development services.

Meanwhile, $249.7 million has been earmarked under the School Infrastructure Improvement Project to rehabilitate and equip the Mount Moriah, Pisgah and Kendal primary schools, and construct and outfit one infant school in Mount Salem. This project aims to reduce the incidence of poverty in low-income vulnerable communities by improving access to quality education and training.

To date, teachers and community members have been certified in water sanitation and hygiene techniques.

The projects, which are being implemented by the JSIF and fall under the Office of the Prime Minister, commenced in December 2021 and are slated to end within the next 10 months.

They are being funded by the Government of Jamaica and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).