PATH ready to assist vulnerable families with back-to-school
Tamoy Ashman / Our Today
As the 2023 back-to-school period draws near, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is urging vulnerable families to apply for support through the Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH).
The social security ministry noted that PATH has several back-to-school benefits that families can use to ease the burden of preparing for the upcoming school year, and the Government is ready to assist where possible.
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr, said: “With back-to-school right around the corner, we want our PATH beneficiaries to be assured that the Government is aware of the challenges they face and will be implementing provisions to help offset some of the costs.”
PATH parents are also being urged to inform the ministry if their child will be transferring to another school so that payments are not disrupted.
The next PATH beneficiary payment is scheduled for mid-August. Additionally, participants will receive regular payments between $3,800 and $5,600. Payments valued at $3,500 will also be distributed to help with back-to-school expenses for each child registered in a public school from grades one to 13.
Permanent Secretary in the Labour and Social Security Ministry, Colette Roberts Risden, also noted that post-secondary grants of up to $30,000 are available to assist students with sitting CXC exams, skills training, certificates, diplomas, or associate degrees.
PATH also assists tertiary students with $100,000 annually for up to four years once that student maintains a GPA of at least 2.5 and meets other requirements outlined.
To apply for the programmes, vulnerable families can visit any of the ministry’s offices islandwide.
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