School Supplies And Book Grant Initiative Under Review — Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education said it notes recent media reports concerning the funding and continuation of the School Supplies and Book Grant initiative to students of Government and Government-Assisted Primary and Secondary Schools. The Ministry said it “remains committed to providing clear and factual information to the public regarding this initiative, which forms part of the ongoing transformation of the national education system.”

In a Media Release today (Thursday 23rd October, 2025), the Ministry states, “The School Supplies and Book Grant initiative is presently under review as part of the Ministry's implementation of the Education Strategic Plan 2025 - 2030, the national framework guiding education reform over the next five (5) years. This review is part of a wider modernization effort to ensure that support for students is equitable, data-driven, and aligned with emerging learning technologies. The introduction of AI-supported textbooks and other adaptive digital resources will ensure that future student assistance complements these modern learning tools. The review does not signal a discontinuation of support but rather a responsible process to determine how best to provide sustainable, transparent, and effective assistance to learners and families.”

The School Supplies and Book Grant initiative was initially introduced as a social support measure to assist students with essential learning materials. In the 2024 cycle, approximately 27,000 applications were received, and 20,000 grants were disbursed before the close of the fiscal year.

Noting that no funding allocation was made in the subsequent 2025 National Budget, the Ministry said the Minister of Education “sought and obtained approval for financing through the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review. This intervention provided 20,000 grants of $1,000 each to support students in need. The current review seeks to strengthen the programme's design and delivery, ensuring that allocations are timely, efficiently administered, and aligned with national education priorities. The Ministry reiterates that all education spending will continue to be guided by the principles of fiscal prudence, transparency, and accountability.”

Minister of Education, Dr. the Honourable Michael Dowlath, has emphasized that the review of the School Supplies and Book Grant initiative reflects a deliberate and evidence-based approach to improving education support systems. Minister Dowlath notes, “Our responsibility is to ensure that every dollar spent delivers measurable improvement in student learning outcomes. The decision to review the Book Grant Programme follows a period in which no allocations were made in the annual budget, and the Ministry was required to seek funding through the mid-year process. We are determined to strengthen the programme so that support is predictable, equitable, and aligned with the Ministry's broader strategy for modernizing learning resources, including Al-supported textbooks.”

The Minister reaffirmed that the goal is not to withdraw assistance but to ensure sustainability, efficiency, and accountability in delivering learning resources to all students.

The Media Release concluded by saying, “The Ministry remains committed to ensuring that support for students is equitable, transparent, and sustainable, and that all learners, regardless of circumstance, have the resources needed to succeed.”