The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service will be launching its annual National Budget Secondary School Tour on April 14 at Ferncourt High in St. Ann.
Director of Corporate Communication and Public Relations at the Ministry, Shakiel Rochester Shorter, said that this year’s staging of the tour will feature a series of interactive engagements across schools in St. Ann and St. Mary.
“Students can expect a dynamic and engaging experience. The tour will launch at Ferncourt High School with students from Marcus Garvey Technical High School on April 14 and continue through to April 30, with a series of workshops. The official launch will also feature a live outside broadcast on Mello FM,” Mrs. Rochester Shorter outlined.
She added that the sessions will provide direct interaction with key personnel from the Ministry.
“Students will participate in interactive sessions with our technocrats and engage directly with the Minister, making the National Budget both accessible and relevant. With lively discussions, meaningful engagement, and exciting prizes and giveaways, students can look forward to an informative and memorable experience,” she said.
Presenters for the tour will include members of the Ministry’s Corporate Communications team as well as representatives from the Public Expenditure Division and the Economic Management Division.
Reflecting on the programme’s impact, Mrs. Rochester Shorter highlighted its steady growth and positive reception since its launch.
“Since 2023, the National Budget Secondary School Tour has reached over 5,760 students from 38 schools across three parishes, reflecting its ongoing success in increasing awareness and understanding of the National Budget among young Jamaicans,” she shared.
Mrs. Rochester Shorter pointed out that feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Participants consistently describe the initiative as a timely and valuable platform that empowers them with knowledge about the country’s plans and priorities. Importantly, based on feedback from last year’s tour, the majority of students indicated that they will be paying attention to future Budget presentations as a result of the workshops,” she added.
Mrs. Rochester Shorter noted that the Ministry remains committed to engaging Jamaica’s youth through the school tour, even as the country recovers from the impact of Hurricane Melissa.
“We remain deeply mindful of the challenges many Jamaicans are facing in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. At the same time, it is especially important to continue engaging our students through the National Budget Secondary School Tour, as it provides a meaningful opportunity to help them understand how the National Budget supports recovery, rebuilding and long-term development,” she said.
She explained that the initiative plays a critical role in helping students grasp how public funds are allocated and how these decisions affect their daily lives.
“Through this initiative, students are guided on how public funds are allocated, including investments in infrastructure, education and community resilience. By strengthening their understanding of the Budget, we are equipping them with knowledge they can share within their families and communities,” she noted.
The National Budget Secondary School Tour forms part of the Ministry’s broader effort to promote fiscal awareness and build a more informed citizenry, particularly among Jamaica’s youth.
