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Millions uncollected by recipients of gov’t's tablet initiative

Published:Friday | May 7, 2021 | 12:01 PM
Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Fayval Williams, speaking in Parliament on May 5, 2021 - Contributed photo.

Millions of dollars have been left uncollected by recipients of the Government's 'Own Your Own Device' programme'.

Minister of Education Fayval Williams has indicated that the Ministry has so far issued 20,207 vouchers to successful applications.

Under the programme, the Ministry provides vouchers valued at $20,000 each towards the purchase of a laptop or tablet.

Williams, speaking in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, informed that only 9,524 vouchers have been redeemed.

This leaves a difference of 10,683, which translates to over $213 million.

The education minister says her Ministry will be examining the programme to see why recipients have not redeemed their electronic vouchers.

The 'Own Your Own Device' programme is an initiative through which the Government is assisting with the purchase of tablets or laptops for students who are in need but are not on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH).

It benefits needy students in primary and secondary schools across Jamaica.

Parents or guardians are provided with a $20,000 electronic voucher to buy a device from an approved vendor.

Parents or guardians will be responsible for the difference in the cost of the laptop or tablet.

Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding, suggested that Members of Parliament could be provided with a listing of vouchers issued, but not redeemed in their constituency.

“That would be very helpful,” he said.

- JIS News 

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