Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath has announced that the school supplies and book grant is currently under review, responding to inquiries from his predecessor, St. Ann’s East MP Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, during the Standing Finance Committee meeting on October 21. The draft estimates for the 2026 budget reveal no allocation for this grant, contrasting sharply with the $20 million spent in 2024. Although last year’s budget (fiscal 2025) initially omitted this item, $20 million was eventually allocated in the revised estimates. Gadsby-Dolly sought clarity on the apparent omission for fiscal 2026, questioning whether the mid-term review would determine the grant’s continuation or the amount allocated. Dowlath reiterated that the grant remains under review, prompting Gadsby-Dolly to press for a definitive answer. Speaker Jagdeo Singh intervened, emphasizing that the minister had provided a clear response. Gadsby-Dolly expressed concern, interpreting the minister’s statement as uncertainty. The discussion also highlighted significant shortfalls in the Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF) for school repairs and upgrades. Despite allocations of $50 million for primary school improvements this year, only $1.5 million was spent last year. Dowlath acknowledged $34 million in arrears, promising funding through the mid-year review or alternative financing. Similar issues were noted for secondary schools, with $46 million in arrears and minimal spending from previous allocations. Gadsby-Dolly questioned whether the IDF was consistently underfunded, to which Dowlath did not directly respond. The committee ultimately approved the ministry’s total budget allocation of $5.266 billion.