Government boosts funding to schools to improve operations

Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon says funding for Jamaica's public schools has been increased by an average of 55 per cent as the Government moves to give school administrators greater flexibility in managing their operations.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday, Morris Dixon said all public schools will benefit from the increase, with primary and special education institutions getting more than those at the top of the ladder.

While she did not disclose the monetary value of the increase, the minister said the additional funding has already begun reaching schools.

She said 30 per cent of the operational grant was disbursed in June, with a further 15 per cent to be released in September and 20 per cent in December.

Morris Dixon explained that schools will have greater discretion in how the funds are spent, subject to expenditure guidelines. 

Under the framework, no more than 25 per cent of the allocation can be used for administration, 20 per cent for repairs and maintenance, 10 per cent for student welfare, 30 per cent for teaching and learning, and 15 per cent for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) and technical and vocational education.

She said the increased funding followed consultations with school administrators and represents a simplification of the ministry's funding model.

"There are little grants here, little grants there, so what we have done is consolidated all the grants into one and increased the amount," the minister said.

Schools will now receive a single operational grant, allowing administrators greater flexibility in determining how best to use the funds within the prescribed spending categories.

Morris Dixon said the Government deliberately directed a larger portion of the increase to schools at the lower levels of the education system, including primary and special education institutions.

"This is a significant increase that has been done," she said.

The minister noted that the Ministry of Education's maintenance budget remains separate from the portion of the operational grant that schools can use for repairs and maintenance.

She also announced the creation of a special funding pool for schools requiring additional support.

According to Morris Dixon, the ministry has, for the first time, been able to redirect resources to establish a fund that will assist schools facing significant challenges, particularly those seeking to improve educational outcomes.

"These schools are, for the most part, challenged in relation to the students that they get," she said.

She explained that eligible schools will be able to submit proposals to the ministry for consideration and funding under the special initiative.

Turning to schools damaged by Hurricane Melissa, Morris Dixon acknowledged that repair work has not progressed as quickly as anticipated.

She attributed the delays to challenges being experienced by contractors, including labour shortages, difficulties sourcing supplies and the limited number of contractors available to undertake the work.

- Lester Hinds

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