Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Dr Maurice Smith was mum yesterday when the Jamaica Observer asked him to comment on speculation that his contract had not been renewed.

Dr Smith told the Observer that he had no comment on the matter, althoughRadio Jamaica reported he would be leaving the ministry on October 31.

“The Ministry of Education is a great place; there are lots of innovations in the sector, and I expect that this will continue,” he remarked when asked about some of the areas he would have wanted the opportunity on which to focus.

Dr Smith did not hint what his next move would be when his tenure comes to an end in a matter of days. “Once a teacher, always a teacher,” he commented lightly.

He recently appeared before the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of Parliament to answer questions regarding expenditure and other administrative matters for the ministry and a number of its agencies and departments.

In the meantime, Education Minister Senator Ruel Reid told the

Observer that Dr Smith’s contract is a private matter with the Public Service Commission.

“We are grateful for his services and wish him well in his future endeavours,” Senator Reid said, all but confirming that his permanent secretary would be moving on.

Dr Smith was appointed permanent secretary last November, having been named principal director of the National College for Educational Leadership in 2013. Prior to that, he served as guidance counsellor, and later as vice-principal of St Ann’s Bay Primary School for three years, before taking on the job as principal of Moneague Primary and Junior High School in 2006.

He was credited with the establishment of Belmont Academy, the country’s first centre of excellence.