Ministry of Education, Youth and Information Gives Detailed Account of Public School Funding Guidelines and Framework

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information (MoEYI) has implemented the policy of provision of greater financial support, to schools as we seek to improve the quality of Education in this country. The basis of this course of action is not to defund schools but to give schools more resources and for the Education Ministry to provide more support to schools by subvention, maintenance, and capital works. The MOEYI’s philosophy is that public education should be properly funded by the government while encouraging stakeholders to make voluntary contributions. Schools should not be forced to charge fees for services that the Ministry should finance.

“Education is just too important to have any barriers to access. All parents are already funding aspects of students’ education such as lunch, books, bus fare and other school items in preparing them for school. Therefore public education should be funded by taxes and not the application of taxes/ fees at point of access,” underscored Senator Ruel Reid, Minister of Education, Youth and Information, at a stakeholder meeting with members of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (Friday,June 24) at Campion College.

It is against this background that the MOEYI has consulted widely with the relevant stakeholders and is pleased to advise that the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information (MoEYI) in keeping with the Education Act and the Regulations made thereunder is now announcing new arrangements for the funding of schools for the 2016/2017 school year. These changes are in keeping with the long-term goal of ensuring equity and access for all and the provision of quality education. All our stakeholders are encouraged to be mindful of the fact that this year, as it relates to the new funding arrangement, is a transition year, and so we crave the cooperation and support of all stakeholders, as we implement the new funding arrangements. Please note that these arrangements are applicable to secondary schools.

*Senator Reid’s Voice Note Attached

For further information contact – Sheryl Bromfield
Tel: 279 – 8990

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Addendum
School Funding Details

MOEYI COMMITTMENTS
The MoEYI will honour its commitment to increase funding for schools operations for the academic year 2016/2017 with a budget of $3.9Billion. The MoEYI will commit to four (4) scheduled timely disbursements as follows:
 the first tranche to be disbursed in the second week of June 2016 (50 % of $11,500.00),
 The second tranche to be disbursed in the second week of September.
 The third tranche in the second week of December.
 The fourth tranche will be paid in the second week of April 2017 and will reflect the increased amount, that is the increase between the new amount of $19 000 or the proportion increase and the $11 500.
• Schools’ accounts have already been augmented with 50% of the tuition fees for the upcoming school year (2016-2017) to the amount of $1.4 billion dollars. Schools that have not received their allocation are asked to contact their Regional Offices IMMEDIATELY.
• Schools must ensure that the contribution amount being requested from parents for the period 2016-2017 are approved by the MoEYI.
• Sixth form programmes will continue to attract tuition fees that will be set by the school board and approved by the MoEYI. Note however that Sixth form students also receive the tuition amount.
• The new funding formula of the MoEYI which calculates its contribution to schools will be fully applicable for the budget period 2017-2018 as approved by the Ministry of Finance and Planning (MoFP) and should be used to craft the budget for 2017/ 2018.

CHANGES TO THE FUNDING FORMULA
The aim of developing an equitable funding formula is to provide increased funding for schools based on the following factors:
 low attainment level on entry,
 greatest level of difficulty in learning, and
 poor socio-economic backgrounds.
Through more equitable funding, schools will be able to allocate the staffing and resources required to meet the needs of the students they serve.
• The allocation of the budget for the school year should reflect the student enrolment for that particular year including any change to the school population.
• Any change to the enrolment in the schools must be approved by the Regional Directors.
• Schools will not be permitted to enroll more than the number of places permitted by the MoEYI.
• The funding formula for all staffing, supplies, materials and other school expenditure should take account of the age and number of students in each school, their socio-economic status and prior attainment, the nature of the plant and site, the curriculum offering and the health and safety of students and staff.
• A funding formula that creates a unique budget for each school based on the number, age, prior attainment and socio-economic status of students will be adopted as follows:
i. An ‘age weighted student unit’ of basic funding for each student across all state schools; plus
ii. A ‘social premium unit’ of funding for students from difficult socio-economic backgrounds using proxy indicators such as PATH( this represents the current $2000 paid out to PATH beneficiary); plus
iii. A ‘student premium unit’ based on the assessed attainment levels of students as they enter the school, providing additional funding for those with low levels of attainment in Literacy and Numeracy and for those with other Special Education needs(the GSAT scores are to be used as the standardized method to assess students on entry);
iv. A ‘curriculum premium’ weighting to reflect the increased staffing and resourcing demands in schools that are designed to offer a strong technical and vocational curriculum, for example, Technical High Schools; and
v. Support for School Feeding and Maintenance.
Source: Institutional Analysis Repurposing and Restructuring the School System June 2016

EXAMPLE OF AN ALLOCATION
UNIT FUNDS ALLOCATED
1. An ‘age weighted student unit’ $11,500.00
2. A ‘social premium unit’ e.g. PATH and Wards of the State $2,000.00
3. A ‘student premium unit’ $2,000.00
4. A ‘curriculum premium’ $2,000.00
5. Support for school feeding (outside of PATH beneficiary) and or maintenance as necessary $1,500.00
TOTAL $19,000.00

• All secondary schools will be required to submit their budget no later than the October of the previous year so adequate arrangements can be made for the funds to be provided. The School Improvement Plan (SIP) should follow in February of each year which will assist in determining the level of new funding. Schools budget and SIP will be approved each year by May 31. Schools will also be required to submit annual comprehensive income and expenditure statements for ALL funds received from all sources in the first instance followed by the audited financial statement. (All Schools would have now submitted their budget. These are being reviewed for submission to the Ministry of Finance and Planning (MoFP). As soon as this exercise is completed individual schools will be advised of the amount that will be provided for the school year).
• The MoEYI will ensure that those schools whose budget requires more than the $7,500.00 are given careful consideration. The MoEYI will carefully review the operating cost of these institutions and if necessary, make an allocation within one month of request.
• Schools falling short of funds during the course of the year would also be able to write to the Permanent Secretary, requesting consideration for additional support to close the deficit. This letter must be accompanied by all the supporting documentation and a reply will be provided within ten (10) working days of receipt.
• The term ‘Auxiliary Fees’ will be abolished and replaced with the term ‘School Support Contribution ’.
• Though ‘School Support Contribution’ from parents is strongly encouraged, no child must be disenfranchised if funds are not forthcoming . The MoEYI commits to purposefully encourage all parents to make the contributions approved by Boards, PTAs, and MoEYI.
• Schools are to discuss and get approval for the categories that will fall on the school payment voucher. Please see below a sample off the categories to be used.
High School Parents School Support Contribution Voucher
Categories Amount
Re-Registration/ID
Insurance
School Support Contribution (PTA, PE Gear, lab coats, development fee etc.)
Total
Please note that schools that have already prepared their voucher for distribution for this academic year 2016-2017. This must be the guided format going forward.
• The MoEYI will absorb costs for all core services. The list of core services are outlined in the draft document attached titled – “A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR A COMPREHENSIVE SECONDARY PROGRAMME”. This document is being circulated to ascertain feedback from our stakeholders.
• The MoEYI will carry out a review of core services and ensure that the costs for these services including additional staffing are absorbed by MoEYI going forward in order to reduce the need to request additional support from parents.
• No additional staff should be hired without MoEYI approval .
• Schools should request support from the MoEYI for major infrastructural improvements or maintenance one year in advance.
• The MoEYI will provide additional resources for schools delivering the Career Advancement Programme (CAP) or NVQJ/City and Guilds programmes.

The following additional resources will also be provided to schools as needed:
 Provision of additional teachers for those schools that are operating below their required establishment or require teachers for specific programmes based on attainment level of students on entry;
 Provision of material grants for schools pursuing the Technical and Vocational Areas;
 Provision of equipment for selected schools under particular programmes or initiatives, for example, schools on Alternative Pathway for Secondary Education (APSE), schools transitioning from shift to full-day or extended-day operations, new schools or schools introducing new Technical and Vocational programmes; and
 Provision of additional classrooms and infrastructure upgrade for selected schools based on initiatives or programmes.
 Solarization of at least 30 schools to reduce their energy bills payment and cut costs.

The MoEYI is cognizant of the fact that this is a new policy and as such there may be challenges with implementation in individual schools. The MoEYI will however monitor the implementation of this new policy and as the need arises changes will be made accordingly.

Schools Administrators are encouraged to adhere to the guidelines accordingly and to consult their Regional Directors if further clarification is required.

Commentary

School Funding

The vexed issue of school funding has been a political football being used by the PNP to cause “a summer of discontent”.

Hitting Below …

The conduct of the PNP is tantamount to a boxer hitting his opponent below the belt. Such conduct could lead to loss of points or outright disqualification.

The new JLP GOVERNMENT is being “bad mouthed by attack dogs” who wish to tear down the JLP. This is dirty politics.

The people will not be fooled. Will they … do you think they are so gullible?

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.