Education sector spends $18.3B from budget allocation

Nov 15, 2009 News

According to the 2009 Mid Year Report, the education sector was allocated $20.4 billion.
Of the allocated amount, $8.2 billion was spent towards the continued implementation of the updated five-year National Education Strategic Plan, in the first half of the year, approximately the same sum as last year.
According to the report, during the same period there was an extensive partnership between the Ministry of Education and the 10 Administrative regions.
The Partnership was aimed at the production of action plans, which intended to promote synergies among the education districts in relation to priority areas identified in the Strategic Plan.
$62 million was expended on the continuing implementation of the literacy initiative, by the first half of the year.
Added to the expenses during the first half of the year was that of the monies spent on the hinterland school feeding programme, which added up to $238 million.
The programme was in place to maintain the 60 schools within the hinterland regions.
Some $429 million was also spent during the first half on nursery, primary and secondary schools, as well as tertiary institutions countrywide. $106.7 million of that amount was expended towards the construction of Hope Secondary School.
The Mid Year Report stated that the remaining $2.1 billion is to be spent on maintenance of schools during the second half of the year.
The majority of the maintenance work is expected to take place during the July/August term break to minimise disruption of classes.
The construction of two nursery schools is also expected to commence at Bath, West Berbice and Cumberland, east Canje, in the second half of the year, along with works at primary schools in Semoni, Parfaite Harmonie and Belle West.
Secondary Schools at Hope and No. 8 Village are also projected to be completed in the second half of 2009.