Path Programme To Be Improved

 

Press Release From OPM - September 11, 2026   The Government is moving to strengthen the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) by making the system more responsive, functional and centred on the needs of vulnerable Jamaicans, while expanding support to students as they return to school. Speaking on OPM On Air, Minister of Labour and Social Security, the Honourable Pearnel Charles Jr., said the objective is to ensure that administrative processes do not prevent families who genuinely need assistance from receiving it. The Minister stated, “The goal is to create a more operational, functional system that allows the people to be placed ahead of the system.” Minister Charles Jr. noted that the Government recognizes the concerns raised by Jamaicans about PATH and is committed to improving the programme while maintaining the necessary checks to ensure that assistance reaches those who qualify. “The important message to Jamaicans listening is that we appreciate the concerns that have been raised around PATH. We've already done things to improve it, and we're going to continue to make sure that PATH provides for the persons who really should be on it the best service, said Minister Charles Jr. He explained that PATH uses a scoring system to make an initial determination of an applicant’s circumstances, followed by a social worker’s visit to verify the information. However, delays in the second stage can leave provisionally approved beneficiaries waiting for extended periods. The Ministry is therefore examining ways to allow persons who have been provisionally approved to access assistance while verification continues, with mechanisms in place to remove beneficiaries if subsequent investigations determine that they do not qualify. Minister Charles Jr. said the Ministry is also reviewing recertification requirements, which can result in beneficiaries being removed from PATH when information is not updated, including when children change schools or when the four-year recertification period expires. “That delay should never cause a Jamaican to suffer. And so we're looking at those two issues. We're doing what we have to do now to make sure that we can either, I don't want to say fully eliminate, because that's not the goal,” He stated. The Government is also focused on ensuring that compliance requirements do not unintentionally disadvantage children. While school attendance is an important condition of PATH, the Ministry is examining circumstances where children may face difficulties attending school because their parents are unable to provide adequate support. On back-to-school assistance, Minister Charles Jr. confirmed that more than 120,000 PATH beneficiaries have already received the $5,000 one-time back-to-school grant paid in August. Additional assistance includes a $40,000 grant for eligible students sitting CSEC examinations again, entering CAPE, pursuing diplomas and associate degrees, and other mid-level programmes. Students pursuing bachelor's degrees can also apply for a $150,000 grant through PATH at their institutions. The Minister underscored that these measures, alongside other rehabilitation and family support grants provided by the Ministry, form part of the Government’s wider effort to strengthen the social protection system and ensure that vulnerable families receive timely assistance. ______________________ _______________________ Click Here. ______________________ Keep abreast of the news and information in the world. Bark Di Trute, a Jamaican blog, is packed with accurate information. Click the following link and get information at your fingertips. WhatsApp link is: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C9bkP96JIN2JgHiuktY3Jj  _________________ _________________ It's best to view this blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com. _________________ _________________

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