Trinidad and Tobago Education Minister sets deadline for school book grants

Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath has assured approved applicants of the 2026 School Supplies and Book Grant that all outstanding payments will be distributed by September 21st. Responding to questions in the House of Representatives, the Minister stated the government aims to distribute funds ahead of previous years' timelines.

However, the rollout has faced scrutiny from parents. Some applicants have received rejection notices citing “funding restrictions,” leading to concerns regarding the selection process. One parent, a single mother, questioned the fairness of the distribution, suggesting discrepancies in how working and non-working households are treated. An informal poll of 150 parents indicated that a vast majority had not yet received the grant at the time of the survey.

Separately, the Minister addressed a bat infestation at St. Hilda’s Government Primary School in Belmont. Remedial work is scheduled to take place over a weekend to ensure the school can reopen for classes by Monday.