KINGSTON, Jamaica – Education in Jamaica’s rural communities has been given a much-needed lift, thanks to the Government of Japan’s latest investment in the future of the nation’s children. Through a $28.8 million grant under the Grassroots Human Security Project, three schools will soon receive fully equipped school buses, significantly improving students’ access to learning.
Rest Primary and Infant School, Bustamante High School in Clarendon, and Port Antonio Primary School in Portland have been named as the beneficiaries, with two 29-seater Toyota Coaster buses and one 15-seater bus set to arrive in the coming months.
For many students in these communities, transportation has long been an obstacle. Without reliable and affordable means to get to school, some are forced to walk long distances, while others miss days of learning altogether. Principal of Rest Primary, Sandra Smith, believes this initiative will bring life-changing benefits to students and their families.
“Many of our students come from homes where parents struggle to afford daily bus fare. The reality is, if they can’t get to school, they can’t learn. This bus is a solution that will remove one of the biggest barriers to education in our community,” Smith explained.
Beyond daily commutes, the new buses will also support extracurricular programs, school trips, and student participation in academic and sporting competitions. Board Chair of Port Antonio Primary School, Paulette Brimm-Smith, emphasized the far-reaching impact of this donation.
“This is more than just a school bus—it’s a vehicle for opportunity. It means our students will no longer be excluded from critical learning experiences that happen outside the classroom. It’s a game changer,” Brimm-Smith said.
At Bustamante High School, Vice Chair Delinda Chablal highlighted how improved mobility will help shape students’ futures.
“Field trips, college visits, training programs—these are essential experiences that help guide students towards career paths. Having a school bus will not only enrich their education but also expose them to possibilities beyond their immediate surroundings,” she stated.
The Japanese Embassy’s continued support for Jamaica’s education sector has been widely praised, with stakeholders commending the initiative as a model for future partnerships. With these new buses set to hit the road soon, students in some of the island’s most underserved communities are now one step closer to unlocking their full potential.
