Charles Jr to host second PATH town hall meeting

IN DELIVERING on the commitment to overhaul the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr is set to host the second in a series of PATH town hall meetings on Wednesday at the St Gabriel’s Anglican Church Hall in Clarendon.

The town hall meeting will underscore a pivotal focus on engagement with existing PATH beneficiaries and local organisations to gain optimal feedback towards the transformation of the programme.

Highlighting Clarendon as the parish with the second-highest number of registered PATH beneficiaries nationwide, Charles Jr emphasised the importance of gathering feedback from these individuals, numbering 33,530 as of December 2023.

“This town hall signifies a strategic opportunity to engage stakeholders in the transformation of PATH through their invaluable insights from experience,” highlighted Charles Jr.

The town hall will also welcome key stakeholders, including nongovernmental organisations such as Food for the Poor and local agencies, including the Social Development Commission and Poor Relief Department, to provide necessary contributions to the ongoing discussions surrounding the improvement of PATH.

Charles Jr expressed that partnering with stakeholders will fortify Jamaica’s social safety net programme and foster lasting relationships aligned with PATH’s objectives. “This partnership is a step in a positive direction – the aim is to create lasting relationships between agencies whose mandate and commitment to socio-economic development directly aligns with the objectives of PATH,” explained Charles Jr.

He continued, “Our goal is to improve how we deliver the benefits of PATH to our people. This is why we are committed to implementing a strategic solution that will foster a more responsive, effective and progressive programme addressing the immediate needs of the poor and vulnerable families across the island.”

During the inaugural town hall held in Brown’s Town on January 31, the ministry actively involved residents, thought leaders, and representatives from educational institutions across St Ann in pivotal discussions regarding areas of the programme requiring transformation. As a result, the ministry has unveiled plans for strategic initiatives aimed at improving the data collection process and enhancing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to sustain the programme’s effectiveness.

These critical stakeholder engagements serve to both highlight the positive impact of PATH and identify areas for improvement, ensuring equality and inclusivity throughout the programme. As the ministry continues its journey toward a more responsive and effective programme, these initiatives reaffirm its unwavering dedication to the welfare of Jamaica’s citizens.