Minister of Education Andrew Holness told journalists yesterday that, in addition to late funding from the finance ministry, some 200 schools sent incorrect banking information which also resulted in the delay of payment.

"The Ministry of Education was late in receiving its funding from the Ministry of Finance. That is not an abnormal situation - that happens from time to time," Holness said during a press conference at his ministry's Heroes Circle, Kingston, offices.

"We make grants three times yearly and there is a band in which we normally make the grant and that band can fluctuate from within a week to as much as three weeks. This time, we were at the extreme end of the band and so some schools were affected."

Forced to close canteens

The Gleaner on Wednesday reported that some schools could be forced to close their canteens if the education ministry failed to hand over feeding-programme subventions owed to them since January.

Basil Waite, opposition spokesman on education, said the issue was approaching crisis proportions, noting that some schools were also yet to receive January's funding for students who are part of the Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH).

The Government of Jamaica spends $1.6 billion each year on nutritional support for the island's more than 1,000 public schools, including early-childhood institutions.

The support comes in three forms: nutri-bun and milk programme, nutrition grants which come in the form of rice, flour and other commodities and a cash grant, used to purchase meat and ground provisions.

Holness said there were difficulties with the present structure of the nutrition support programme, adding that there have been many criticisms. To this end, the education boss said his ministry was in the process of reviewing the programme.