$50 Million for Scholarship Programme

According to the 2008/09 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, $50.06 million has been allocated to the Scholarships and Assistance Programme.
The Programme ensures that public sector workers are adequately trained, thereby maintaining a professionally qualified and competent staff cadre.
In pursuance of this goal, scholarships and financial assistance are offered in selected target disciplines, to public sector workers as well as private individuals desirous of being employed in the public sector.
The programme also acts as a point of contact for technical assistance (scholarships and fellowships) offered by approximately 25 bilateral and multilateral donor agencies.
In addition, $200.05 million has been set aside to provide loans for tertiary education to public servants as agreed under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions.
A sum of $20 million has also been set aside to provide refund of tuition to public servants as per the agreement between the Government and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions.