Starting May 15, 2026, eligible applicants across Suriname can begin signing up for the 2026-2027 iteration of the national School Bag Project, a public welfare initiative run by the country’s Ministry of Youth Development and Sport (JOS). The registration window will remain open for two full months, closing officially on July 15, 2026, according to an official announcement from the ministry posted on May 16.
Designed explicitly to address educational barriers for vulnerable populations, the initiative targets children and young people from low-income and socially disadvantaged households, providing them with the essential school supplies they need to participate fully in their education. Eligible participants fall between the ages of 6 and 25, and are currently enrolled in one of three recognized education tracks: GLO, VOJ, or VOS.
The ministry has clarified that completing the online registration process does not guarantee automatic selection for the program. Due to limited funding and resource allocations, only a subset of registered applicants will be selected to receive support. The names of all approved beneficiaries will be published publicly through the ministry’s official communication and media channels once the selection process is finalized.
To keep registered candidates informed of next steps, JOS has urged all applicants to follow the ministry’s official Facebook page to receive real-time updates, additional program details, and formal announcements related to the selection timeline and project rollout.