KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Education is paying out over $16 million per annum to advisors and executive support staff for Minister of Education, Ronald Thwaites, the House of Representatives learned Tuesday.

The staff included three senior advisers who are being paid just over $13 million per annum, and three executive support staff, including a special assistant, who are paid close to $3 million per annum.

The senior advisers include management consultant, Dr Franklin Johnston, who is being paid $5 million per annum, and was in receipt of a motor vehicle up to recently.

Answering questions from Opposition spokesperson on Education, Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, in the House of Representatives today, Thwaites said that Johnston also filled assignments in the absence of a junior minister, including chairing Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) and Association of Principals and Vice-Principals meetings.

Asked by Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Holness, whether Dr Johnston’s salary was “over and above” the Ministry of Finance and Planning’s salary scale, Thwaites said he did not know. However, Thwaites insisted that whatever salary was paid was approved by the Ministry of Finance.

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