Donors Contribute $45 Million to Schools Through Education Trust

The National Education Trust (NET) has received contributions valued at approximately $45 million from donors for calendar year to date.

Manager for Public-Private Relationship at the NET, Latoya Harris, said that some 81 schools, one tertiary institution and one children’s home have benefited from items such as books, computers, food, clothing, medical equipment and school supplies from local and overseas donors.

She noted that there has been a significant increase in donations, especially from diaspora members, who consistently contribute items to their schools.

“We always get items such as books and footwear, and recently we worked with a group that brought in defibrillators for the schools to assist with their sports programmes,” she informed.

Ms. Harris was speaking at a recent JIS Think Tank.

The Trust is the arm of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information with responsibility to facilitate partnerships with donors for educational infrastructural development.

It is mandated to mobilise financial and quality resource investments for schools and oversees the renovations and upgrading of plants.

Ms. Harris noted that the Trust is looking to garner more support for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, including computer donations.

She advised persons from the diaspora, who are making contributions to schools, to get in touch with the NET before shipping items, to ensure that the proper procedures are followed in order to access the Customs waiver.

Persons sending shipments are required to pay 50 per cent of the Customs administrative fee and the environment levy. All other charges are waived. “When persons go to clear goods at Customs, they sometimes have problems because the guidelines are not followed. The consignee has to be the Trust because it is only then we can authorise that you benefit from waivers when items are being cleared at Customs,” Ms. Harris said.

For further information on the guidelines, please visit the NET website at www.net.org.jm.