Representatives of JAPSS and APVP Endorse New School Funding Policy

Principals and Board Chairmen have committed to transparency and good governance for quality education for the students under their watchful care. Following on a cordial and successful meeting (July 28) with the Minister of Education, Youth and Information (MOEYI), Senator Ruel Reid, members of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPSS) and the Association of Principals and Vice Principals, the Jamaica Teacher’s Association committed to co-operate with the new funding policy.

The calculation of the amount allocated to students would also, take in “curriculum premium weighting to reflect the increased staffing and resourcing demands in schools” and will establish equitable treatment to all schools.

The term auxiliary fees is to be abandoned and the Government has implemented a non-mandatory parents’ contributions policy. Therefore parents are supporting co-curricular, sports and special school development initiatives. Parents can make full, part or contributions as they can afford. This is a reiteration of the MOEYI’s commitment to ensuring that every child who can and must learn, through the provision of equitable access to core educational services.

Senator Reid reiterated that the increase in the secondary school budget to $5.3 billion, from $2.6 billion, would be significant in helping schools with their operations. A total of $5,337,419,400.44 will be provided to the schools for the upcoming school year.

Churches, Trusts, Alumni, the diaspora, corporate Jamaica and parents are encouraged to continue to support education. The policy of the Education Ministry is that no child must be denied access to school.

The Ministry wishes to advise the public that there are strict guidelines for high schools to adhere to with regard to the school funding arrangements and these have been communicated through School Bulletins. Schools have to write the Ministry’s regional office to get approval for any changes to the established financial provisions.

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For further Information please contact:

Sheryl Bromfield

279 -8990

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Commentary

New school Funding Initiative

We are delighted the resistance to the new funding initiative is gaining traction. The nuts will not be allowed to have their way. Bravo!

We hope things will run smoothly now that good sense has taken over …

Enough bad mouthhing has taken place. The policy will not be reversed. Prosperity is not negotiable.

Commentary by: Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie, Senior International Correspondent & photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.