More than half of this year’s approved book grants have already been distributed, with Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath assuring parents that students will not be penalised if funding delays affect their ability to purchase school supplies before classes begin.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, Minister Dowlath explained that the Ministry had a limited timeframe to process applications after receiving approval for the programme in June.
“One of the things that happened is that we got authorisation for the book grant in June through the midterm. You would have followed it in Parliament, and so compared to when it started off in 2024, where they took six months to do it, we had six weeks and to ensure that we verified all the applications.”
Added to that, he said the grant programme was expanded this year, resulting in more students qualifying for assistance than in 2025.
“This year we have increased the amount that we’ve given out. It’s 20,744, an increase over the 20,000 from last year. Up to yesterday, more than half of those were delivered to the parents.”
Minister Dowlath said more than TT$10 million in grant funding had already been distributed, although some payments were still being processed through the cheque system for parents without bank accounts.
“Just over $10 million was distributed because one of the things is that some of these parents they don’t have bank accounts, and so the direct deposit occurs almost instantly once we give the banks the authorisation. But the Ministry has to cut the cheques, and then it has to be delivered to, in Trinidad, seven of the Education Offices. We have to send it across to Tobago, and then the parents have to take it, and they have to go and cash it.”
He said schools had been instructed to give parents additional time to receive their grants and purchase the necessary books and supplies.
“I spoke with the Director of School Supervision and the CEO. For the first two weeks of school we’re ensuring that the Principals understand, because there was a delay and we thank the parents for their patience, no child will be penalised for not having the full resources. So we’re giving the parents enough time to ensure they get their book grants and they can get their books and their school supplies.”
Minister Dowlath also explained that some families will receive a reduced grant because students are benefiting from the Ministry’s new digital learning initiative.
“The total is 20 million. But you’ll remember I spoke about the technology we’re using. Form Two students, they will be getting $500 because they’re getting six of the textbooks on the laptops.”
Minister Dowlath stated that applicants whose book grant requests were unsuccessful would have been notified directly by the Ministry by the end of Friday.