More than 1,300 young people have registered for the holiday employment project 2026 of the Ministry of Youth Development and Sport (JOS). The ministry initially planned to allow 750 school-going young people between the ages of 16 and 25 to gain temporary work experience during the long school holiday.
Most registrations came from Paramaribo, Wanica and Para. Registration was open from 3 to 7 August. The government has allocated SRD 4 million for the project, which is part of the broader GRO holiday programme for Growth, Direction and Development.
Minister Lalinie Gopal told the Communication Service Suriname that fifty young people with special support needs will also participate in the project. According to her, the ministry does not want to exclude anyone.
However, the large number of registrations does not automatically mean that all registered young people can be placed. The minister stated that the government must now examine how it can accommodate the larger group. According to the deputy director of Administrative Services at the ministry, there is still room within the budget to accommodate additional participants. In addition, JOS will approach the business community for support and available jobs.
Gopal sees the high number of registrations as a sign that young people need guidance, work experience and opportunities to further develop themselves. According to her, investment in young people should carry more weight than the project’s financial costs alone.
The minister further stressed that young people can develop their talents better when they are in a safe and supportive environment. The ministry will therefore continue to commit itself to programmes that contribute to this.
According to Gopal, youth development is not solely a government responsibility. Businesses, civil society organisations and the rest of society must also contribute to shaping healthy, educated and disciplined young people.
