The Editor, Sir:

After listening to extracts from the prime minister's budget speech, in particular about the beneficiaries on the PATH programme, I congratulate him for increasing the contributions given to the students. However, I am not sure the incentives to encourage attendance will make much difference.

As a guidance counsellor, I have observed that many of the children on the PATH programme are not eligible and also some parents and caregivers are not using the money to send the children to school regularly. Some parents use the money for their personal needs and then if there is a balance, the children may be sent to school.

Another point, too, is that some boys who have irregular attendance are not PATH beneficiaries, hence, the procedure for registration on the programme emphatically needs to be reviewed.

The incentive should be sent to the school and the boys receive it at the end of a stated period, for example a week, to meet a specific demand.

This would certainly be additional work for the school, but in the interest of our 'future men', I know it would be worth the effort. An alternative would be to charge the parents/caregivers who do not send the boys to school regularly after collecting the cheque.

I am, etc.,

SHARON BLAKE

Shalake2002@yahoo.com

St Mary