By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
EDUCATION Minister Jerome Fitzgerald yesterday reaffirmed the new government's commitment to doubling the education budget, despite the challenge of the country's huge deficit.
Speaking with The Tribune at a Government House reception following the opening of Parliament, the cabinet minister said he had already reviewed and submitted a proposed budget for education.
He gave assurances that a major adjustment would be visible in the 2012-2013 budget.
Mr Fitzgerald said: "We made a commitment to double our investment in education and training and you will see a major adjustment to the budget in that regard. As you are aware, the budget has been cut consistently since 2007, unfortunately, and it has impacted negatively on the application of our education.
"I have reviewed and revised the education budget and sent it in and I anticipate that the ministry get its initiatives and programmes going.
"We understand these are very challenging times, and I understand the deficit from last year is going to be over $500 million, but we made a commitment that we'd be able to get the necessary resources to start the programmes and the initiatives that was spoken about in our charter for governance."
The government yesterday outlined a number of plans for education, based on the belief that learning "is the key to both personal and national empowerment".
"Conscious of that truism, my government will seek to reform our educational system to bring it more technologically in tune with 21st century challenges and to better position Bahamians to compete for jobs both locally and on a global level," Prime Minister Perry Christie said in the Speech from the Throne.
To accomplish this, the government listed 11 objectives, expected to be achieved in the next five years, including the introduction of a standardised national high school diploma programme, a system of career path academics at the secondary level, legislation to establish the University of the Bahamas and regulations to establish and oversee new standards for pre-school and early education, among others.
Mr Fitzgerald also sought to ease fears that funds allocated to education would be wasted and mismanaged after they are disbursed throughout the various sectors of the ministry.
"We intend to tighten up tightly on the expenditure of funds and I'm going to review all the procedures with regard to the management of the funds and the way contracts are allocated," he said.
"I've begun to do that now but after I've had an opportunity to review it in full, I'll make the necessary adjustments to ensure that there is proper accountability and transparency in place."
Comments
positiveinput 11 years, 11 months ago
Lets go ...'Gerald' we know you can do it. Congradulations from the residents of Claridge Road.
242 11 years, 5 months ago
Any updates on this? No? guess webshops was more important
dudu 11 years, 3 months ago
I like this article very much. I'm trying to support this kind of activities, because it increase the quality of the goods in school.Because of that, I just choose to follow a new music curs, like http://www.nuestravoice.com/189/climb...">daunting corporate ladder. Everything it's better now.
dudu 11 years, 3 months ago
This is a great topic.I think this is a good thing because education should focus on http://dcyoungdems.com/achieving-your...">student learning because they are the future of our society
dudu 11 years, 3 months ago
This is a great post.I think they should use more ofter these kind of http://greenheritagenews.com/ten-valu...">strategies because education is an important step in every man life
dudu 11 years, 3 months ago
This news is very important for us. Even thought kids are used with http://toptenpk.com/2-powerful-tips-t...">low energy activities, it's never too late to improve their abilities.
katejohn 9 years ago
yes you are right from http://www.quickessaywriting.co.uk">essay help uk http://www.quickessaywriting.co.uk">do my essay for me
dudu 11 years, 3 months ago
If it is to double the budget of education, then more and more persons would like to take their http://usbusinessweek.com/2013/01/14/...">degrees and this is a good thing, because the country will be in good hands for future.
negruvoda 11 years, 2 months ago
If I was the headmaster I would spend the money on school supplies, school technical equipment, scholarships for the underprivileged or poor students who are smart, on making available more http://www.bopngrill.com/types-of-deg...">degree types by hiring more qualified professors for different subjects. As you can see you can do many things with an increased budget.
dudu 11 years, 2 months ago
http://www.belcampus.org/negotiating-...">Lack of preparation is a very big problem these days but now after this news about raising the budget of education I think this problem will be diminished.
dudu 11 years, 2 months ago
This is certain great news because education is a very important step in everyone's life and I've heard that http://techandscience.com/techblog/Sh...">services managers are in demand and that is a good thing because that job is very pleasing and well payed.
dudu 11 years, 2 months ago
I think this is a great idea and a very good opportunity for those who want a proper education and I think you should try to make an http://techdusts.com/2013/02/09/jobse...">online profile because its is very easy and useful for all of you
saruni 11 years ago
well it's a good thing that there is an increasing in the education budget it'll help a lot of students
http://etoilefilantedor.com/chambres....">maison d'hotes ouarzazate, http://kasbahaitbendamiette.com/">hotel ouarzazate
Isaiahast 10 years, 9 months ago
I support that we should take more attention about the school investment, many poor students =didn't have the best education just because they live in the poor district and didn't have enough money to http://fopsight.com">ray ban outlet.
Butterfly 10 years, 8 months ago
Technical, end user, desktop application and programming courses http://www.insighta.co.uk/courses/ado...">adobe training
JesicaCairns 9 years, 9 months ago
This decision will help the students to learn more with better facilities. http://www.donedissertation.co.uk/buy...">Buy cheap dissertation online
katejohn 9 years ago
yes you are right from http://www.quickessaywriting.co.uk">essay help uk http://www.quickessaywriting.co.uk">do my essay for me http://www.bestessaypoint.co.uk">essay help uk http://www.bestessaypoint.co.uk">do my essay for me
zinos85 9 years, 8 months ago
They have taken the right decision here, the field of education should have access to sufficient funding to be able to provide the best facilities to the students. They should consider building http://poetsandquants.com/category/mb...">top MBA schools, medical schools as well as better institutes for technical education.
reneebetrand 9 years, 7 months ago
They have taken the right decision here, the field of education should have access to sufficient funding to be able to provide the best facilities to the students.
reneebetrand 9 years, 5 months ago
This information is very imperative for us. Even thought children are used with low force tricks, it's not at all too delayed to progress their abilities.
If it is to twice the financial plan of edification, then growing persons would resembling to take their http://www.perfectdissertation.co.uk/...">academic help and this is a superior thing, because the nation will be in superior hands for expectations.
loopkelly 9 years, 2 months ago
The educational system has suffered many changes lately, but one thing should remain a priority: the students must not suffer from these changes. There are educational programs which come to help the students, like the bilingual program at http://www.bambooshootseducation.com/...">http://www.bambooshootseducation.com/..., but this improvement isn't due to the Government wishes.
rosemartin 9 years, 2 months ago
Wonderful news..! Now many of the students can enjoy their studies by paying less fees in their institutes and many can save their money for the upcoming session of submitting dissertations before annual exams because now they can write their dissertations with the help of best http://www.aboutdissertation.com/serv...">dissertation writers.
JohnUnger 9 years, 2 months ago
I think doubling the budget it's too much. There are no doubts that education is important, but we can't forget about other issues too. http://www.assignmentmountain.com/">Assignment Mountain helps me in assignment writing so I don't spent so much time on assignments and I have time to work and therefore pat taxes!
duppyVAT 9 years, 2 months ago
Who are these hologram commenters???????????? Are they Fitzy's make-believe educations supporters???????? Fitzgerald needs to tell the Bahamian people the real facts about how poorly the BJC grades were this year in the public schools and explain how he will get 90% of students to earn a high school diploma after only 25% of them can pass the FOUR BJCs that he has made mandatory to graduate. ................. DOUBLE WHAT???????????????
zackwilliams 9 years, 2 months ago
A great step by the Fitzgerald govt.. At least now many students can enjoy their studies without giving their parents a pressure of expensive courses. One more benefit to the students by passing out this bill will be they can save much more money and can invest it in their other academic activities. For example they can now easily get help in their assignments through http://www.paperwritinghelp.co.uk/ser...">professional writing services.
katejohn 9 years ago
nice post as education is really important fro any country development and economical growth so education should and always be first priority. http://www.bestessaypoint.co.uk">essay help uk http://www.bestessaypoint.co.uk">do my essay for me
alinajoseph 8 years, 11 months ago
This is really good news for all students it’s a great step by Fitzgerald govt. because budget is important factor to increase education level on peoples, many students save more money for their academic life by this step, like they can easily get assistance in their assignments through oonline http://www.aboutthesiswriting.com/ser...">academic writing assistance
lafseo 8 years, 9 months ago
I have a lot of essay services for complete phd education. I need your website recommendation letter for phd admission in all colleges. You are given so many opportunities for so many people. http://www.phdadmission2015.com/tips-...">recommendation letter for phd admission
kaplaymunessa 8 years, 4 months ago
This is really good news for all students
reneebetrand 8 years, 4 months ago
I think magnifying the budget can be a great help. Certainly education plays a big role and it should be given the importance it deserves. Besides this, there should be affordable resources to help students. Students should know how to prepare for exams, http://perfectdissertation.blogspot.c...">how to start and write essays, etc
kaplaymunessa 8 years, 4 months ago
I think magnifying the budget can be a great help. Certainly education plays a big role and it should be given the importance it deserves. Besides this, there should be affordable resources to help students. Students should know how to prepare for exams, how to start and write essays, etc
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID