MONTEGO BAY, St James – Almost 3,000 students heading back to school within St James in September will benefit from $17 million in support from the local municipal corporation.

On Wednesday, the parents and guardians of more than 500 of these students assembled at Montego Bay Civic Centre to receive vouchers that can be used to purchase school supplies. It was the first of six gatherings planned over the next seven days. Vouchers will be provided for students from across the parish’s 17 electoral divisions. Each division has been allocated $1 million, about the same as those provided last year during the corporation’s Annual Back-to-School and Education Support Presentation.

“The St James Municipal Corporation has dedicated approximately $17 million dollars, with the help of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development towards educational grants for this year,” Deputy Mayor Richard Vernon told the Jamaica Observer.

“Even the divisions without councillors are properly represented by the citizens’ associations. They reached out to us, asking for assistance for the youngsters in the different communities, and they’ve received assistance,” he said.

According to Vernon, the support provided to students is an indicator of the local authority’s ongoing commitment to education.

“This has marked approximately $80 million dollars in the last five years towards educational grants,” he said.

There has also been support provided to youngsters through the summer employment programme.

“Over the last five years we have spent over $100 million dollars on summer employment and approximately $80 million on educational grants, so that’s nearly $200 million in youth support,” noted Vernon.

Among the grateful parents who collected vouchers on Wednesday was first-time recipient and resident of the Montego Bay South Division, Maxine Tugwell. She was obviously thrilled to receive assistance.

“I am truly thankful for this support as I have been questioning myself as to how I would manage to purchase supplies to send my daughter back to high school. This support from the St James Municipal Corporation will go a far way in ensuring that the supplies are purchased and that my daughter can return to school, come September, with the necessary things needed to further her education,” she said.

Spring Mount Division resident Michelle Wallace was equally grateful.

“I am very thankful for this support, and all I am asking my children to do is to perform well at school. I know there are others who are in need, and in that way I am extremely grateful and thankful for what I have received,” she said.

In addressing the gathering, CEO of the St James Municipal Corporation, Naudia Crosskill spoke of the significance of Wednesday’s event.

“The corporation is happy to be able to host such an event as this which highlights its unwavering commitment to the development of the youth and, by extension, the parish of St James,” she said.