The Minister for Finance, Esrom Immanuel, is set to unveil the details of the 2026 Back-to-School Support program today. This announcement builds on the commitment made in the 2025–2026 National Budget by the former Minister, Prof. Biman Prasad, which confirmed that the assistance program will continue, providing $200 for each student in 2026.
The support payment is scheduled for distribution in January 2026, just before the start of the new academic year. This initiative, which has become essential to the government’s educational support policy, aims to ease the financial strain on parents and guardians as they prepare for their children’s return to school.
For the upcoming program, the government has allocated a total of $40 million, bringing the total investment in the Back-to-School initiative to over $170 million since it was first introduced. This significant financial commitment reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to support families, particularly those with household incomes under $50,000.
In similar previous programs, like the one initiated for the 2025 school year, approximately 200,000 students benefited, demonstrating the increasing reliance on such measures by families to help cover essential school-related costs, including uniforms, shoes, and stationery. The proactive approach in distributing these funds not only helps families manage immediate expenses but also reinforces the community’s commitment to fostering educational preparedness.
As the Minister prepares to announce the specifics of this year’s program, it remains clear that initiatives like these are crucial in ensuring that children start their academic journeys with the necessary support and resources. The community looks forward to continuing this collaborative effort in supporting education and ensuring accessibility for every student.
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