Kelvon Morris Urges THA to Provide Back-to-School Assistance for Struggling Families

August 20, 2025 – Minority Leader Kelvon Morris is appealing to the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Executive Council to urgently introduce a Back-to-School Grant to support families struggling with the high costs of preparing for the new school year.

In a public letter, Morris outlined the significant financial pressure many parents face, with expenses for a single child estimated between $3,000 and $4,000 for uniforms, textbooks, and other supplies. He pointed out that for THA employees earning an average of $6,000 per month—and those in lower-paying programmes such as CEPEP and URP—these costs can be overwhelming.

To fund the initiative, Morris suggested using a portion of the $150,000 contingency fund allocated to each district. He argued that if the THA can afford millions in overseas travel, it should also prioritise support for Tobago’s children.

Morris urged the Executive Council to act swiftly and set aside political differences in the interest of ensuring every child is adequately prepared for school. He also called on the public to back the proposal, emphasising that no child’s education should be compromised due to financial hardship.