Schools agree to cooperate with new funding policy
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ministry of Education Youth and Information has announced that representatives from the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPSS), the Association of Principals and Vice Principals and the Jamaica Teacher’s Association have all given their commitment to cooperate with the new funding policy.
In a news release yesterday, the ministry said their commitment comes after a “cordial and successful” meeting with Minister of Education, Senator Ruel Reid, on July 28.
The ministry noted that 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.
With the abandonment of auxiliary fees, 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,” the ministry said.
The ministry has also increased the secondary school budget from $2.6 billion to $5.3 billion.
Senator Reid said the increase in the secondary school budget would be significant in helping schools with their operations as a total of $5,337,419,400.44 will be provided to the schools for the upcoming school year.
The ministry also advised 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.
Meanwhile, the ministry is encouraging churches, trusts, alumni, the Diaspora, corporate Jamaica, and parents to continue to support education while reiterating that the policy of the Education Ministry is that no child must be denied access to school.
