USF Connect a Child 2026

The Connect a Child Programme is one of the Universal Service Fund’s flagship national initiatives, transforming the lives of Jamaica’s brightest young learners through education and digital inclusion. Established following a Ministerial directive for the 2023/2024 academic year, the programme recognizes high-achieving Primary Exit Profile (PEP) students from low-income households and equips them with tablet devices to support their academic journey.

To date, the programme has benefited 1,260 outstanding students across Jamaica’s 63 parliamentary constituencies, representing an annual investment of approximately J$30 million in the nation’s future. Through this initiative, the USF is not only providing access to technology, but also creating opportunities for students to learn, innovate, and thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Each year, ten students from every parliamentary constituency are selected based on their exceptional PEP performance and socio-economic need. Members of Parliament submit the names of eligible students, along with supporting school report to ensure a fair, transparent, and accountable selection process. Beneficiaries must also reside within a Community Wi-Fi zone, reinforcing the programme’s commitment to expanding digital access in underserved communities.

By combining academic recognition with digital empowerment, the Connect a Child Programme is helping to bridge Jamaica’s digital divide and inspire the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers. Every tablet presented represents an investment in a child’s potential and a brighter future for Jamaica.

Constituency Submissions for the 63 Members of Parliament

To submit your constituency’s beneficiary information, please click the image below to complete the online submission form.
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Connecting Achievement to Opportunity: USF Connect-A-Child 2026 

The Universal Service Fund (USF) continues its commitment to empowering Jamaica’s young people by connecting academic achievement with access to technology. 

In 2026, the USF Connect-A-Child Programme celebrated high-achieving Jamaican students who demonstrated exceptional academic performance in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations, providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.  

Celebrating Jamaica’s Young Achievers 

  • The 2026 initiative supported 630 high-achieving students, each achieving an average of 70 per cent or higher in the PEP examinations. 
  • A total of 434 students attended the award ceremony, joining fellow students, parents, guardians, representatives of Parliament and partners to celebrate their achievements and mark an important step in their digital journey. 
  • Through the programme, 630 tablets to be issued to successful beneficiaries, helping to provide access to digital tools that can support research, learning, educational platforms and other opportunities. 
  • The initiative also brought together Members of Parliament from all 14 parishes with Members of Parliament playing a key role in identifying and supporting eligible students in communities across Jamaica. 
  • The USF has invested approximately $34 million to procure 630 Samsung Galaxy tablets for this year’s cohort of beneficiaries. 
  • Since its inception in 2023, the Programme has benefited 2,520 students.  

Connecting Children to More than a Device 

The Connect-A-Child Programme is not about providing devices for our children, but also ensuring that academic achievement can translate into greater access to information, educational resources and digital opportunities. 

As technology becomes increasingly integrated into education and everyday life, access to an appropriate device can help students participate more fully in the digital environment and take advantage of opportunities beyond the traditional classroom. 

The programme therefore forms part of USF’s wider commitment to reducing the digital divide and ensuring that Jamaican children have the tools they need to learn, connect and prepare for the future. 

Smart Start: Connecting Students to Safe Digital Experiences 

As part of the 2026 ceremony, USF partnered with the Digicel Foundation to host the USF Smart Start Forum, an interactive educational session focused on helping students become safer and more responsible digital citizens. 

The forum addressed important topics including online safety, cyberbullying, phishing and scams, digital footprints, responsible use of artificial intelligence and safe use of public Wi-Fi. 

The initiative recognised that digital access must be accompanied by digital knowledge. By equipping students with both devices and practical information on how to use technology safely and responsibly, USF and its partners are helping to build a generation of more informed and confident digital citizens. 

A National Commitment to Jamaica’s Children 

The mobilisation of Members of Parliament across all 14 parishes demonstrated the national reach of the Connect-A-Child Programme and the importance of collaboration in expanding digital opportunities for Jamaica’s young people. 

From communities across the island, students who excelled academically were brought into a programme designed to recognise their achievements while helping them take their next steps in a connected world. 

Building Jamaica’s Digital Future 

As these young achievers move forward, the programme serves as a reminder that digital inclusion is not simply about being connected; it is about having the access, tools and knowledge to turn connection into opportunity. 

USF Connects Jamaica.