The Government of Jamaica in focusing its efforts on advancing social development initiated a programme of safety net reform in 2000. As part of the reforms, the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) was introduced as a Conditional Cash Transfer programme targeting vulnerable households within the population.
The objectives of the Programme are to:
Since its launch in 2002, the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), has become Jamaica’s flagship social assistance programme, currently providing cash grants to approximately 350,000 beneficiaries.
The programme is supported by loans from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
Since the inception of PATH a number of supporting interventions/sub-programmes have been implemented in response to beneficiary needs. The following is a summary of the major existing initiatives, which can be accessed through the Ministry’s network of Parish Offices:
Post Secondary School Education Grants
Implemented in 2012, Post-Secondary Grants are available as one-time incentive for students who are registered members of PATH households, and who are enrolled in approved Post-Secondary educational institutions including HEART Trust/NTA. Benefits range in value from $15,000.00 for beneficiaries re-sitting CSEC examinations, to $30,000.00 for those pursuing Associate Degree programmes. The benefit is paid to the Family Representative of the student’s household. Eligibility is restricted to persons who had received at least one PATH benefit payment while in Secondary School.
Tertiary Education Grants
The Tertiary Bursaries initiative was implemented in 2013 to assist beneficiary students with the cost of pursuing Bachelor’s Degree programmes in accredited Tertiary Institutions.
Available to students in PATH households who are attending tertiary level institutions (Universities and Teachers’ Colleges). Bursaries valued at $100,000.00 are paid directly to participating institutions who manage the application process on behalf of PATH. The bursary may be accessed each year of study; this is however conditioned on maintenance of a 2.5 GPA for 2nd through 4th year.
Eligibility is restricted to persons who had received at least one PATH benefit payment while in Secondary School.
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