Evaluation of Jamaica's PATH Conditional Cash Transfer Programme

Abstract

This paper summarizes the findings of an evaluation of the Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH), a conditional cash transfer programme implemented by the Government of Jamaica. We find that PATH was generally implemented as intended; exhibited better targeting to the poor than other similar social assistance programmes in Jamaica; and had positive and statistically significant impacts on school attendance and number of preventive health care visits for children. We find no evidence, however, that PATH was able to affect longer-term outcomes such as marks, grade progression, or health care status.