Gov’t launches SAWP scholarship to support children of Jamaican farm workers
March 31, 2026
Jamaica Observer
KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Government of Jamaica has launched the GOJ/Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP) scholarship to support the educational advancement of the children of Jamaican farm workers participating in the programme in Canada.The announcement was made by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr, during a ceremony held at the ministry’s East Street location on Tuesday morning, marking a major milestone in the 60-year partnership between Jamaica and Canada under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme.“This scholarship is a recognition of the contribution of our workers and a clear statement that their children’s future matters to this Government,” Charles Jr said.
“We are building a pathway that connects work, education and national development.”Sixty scholarships will be awarded for the 2026 academic year to children of farm workers who have participated in the programme for five or more consecutive years and are currently employed under SAWP. The scholarships will support students at both the secondary and post-secondary levels, including sixth form, universities, colleges, and institutions under the HEART/NSTA Trust.Awards are valued at 75,000 for sixth form students and 200,000 for tertiary-level students, and will assist with tuition, books, school supplies and related expenses. Special consideration will be given to applicants pursuing studies in agriculture, agribusiness, agro-processing and technical training, aligning with national priorities for food security and workforce development.Charles Jr noted that the initiative reflects a broader policy direction to transform labour mobility into long-term national capacity.“Our workers have gained valuable experience in modern agricultural systems, and this scholarship ensures that the benefits of that exposure extend beyond the individual to the next generation,” he said. “We are investing in skills that will strengthen Jamaica’s productive capacity and support future growth.”For six decades, Jamaican farm workers have contributed to Canada’s agricultural sector while supporting their families and communities through remittances and economic activity at home. The scholarship programme builds on that legacy by creating opportunities for educational advancement and intergenerational development.Applications for the scholarship will open on April 15, 2026, and close on June 30, 2026, with awards to be issued in time for the start of the new academic year in September. Application forms will be available online via the ministry’s website and at designated ministry offices. Applicants will be required to meet academic and eligibility criteria and submit supporting documentation as part of the selection process.The Ministry of Labour and Social Security will administer the scholarship through a structured review process to ensure fairness, transparency and alignment with programme objectives.The launch of the GOJ/SAWP Scholarship underscores the Government’s commitment to strengthening the link between overseas employment and national development, ensuring that the benefits of the programme extend to families and future generations.For more information, contact MLSS Family Services Unit, 1 F North Street, Kingston. Tel: 876 676 5557 or 876 676 5659.Farmworkers in Canada can contact the Jamaican Liaison Service at 416 733 4358-9.
Jamaica Observer
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