Chat-bout.net - Positive Result From Path Programme

Positive Result From Path Programme

The Programme of Advancement through health and Education (PATH) is impacting positively on academic performance and school attendance.

Currently, 127,000 students are benefiting from the PATH programme - 64,000 boys and 63,000 girls. President of the Principals Association of Jamaica, Michael Stewart is lauding the programme saying that the improvements in academic performance and school attendance are to a certain extent, a direct result of the government’s 22.6 per cent increase in the funds allocated to parents, since April 1 of this year.

The funds given to schools through PATH are used for the school feeding programme, while the money given to parents is used to assist with other expenses, such as transportation. He noted that the students who are on the PATH programme have consistently been improving. He said as far as academics are concerned, they have seen marked improvement in areas such as Reading, English, and Mathematics as well as in overall behavior.

According to Mr. Stewart, who is also the Principal of Porus High School in Manchester, attendance at his school has increased dramatically.“Of the 1,200 students enrolled at the institution, 442 are PATH beneficiaries and 90 per cent of those students attend school on a more frequent basis, when compared to non beneficiaries. Isolyn Baker, grandmother of a PATH beneficiary, is overwhelmed by the latest increase to the PATH programme. According to her, the programme is quite helpful in reducing the expenses. “It helps a lot in sending the children to school…and I was so surprised they put something else on it. They give three days for lunch, so I can assist with the two days after, so it really helps a lot.”

Source : JIS

Bookmark us!