House approves funds to establish education reform dep’t

–despite opposition reservations about its functions

THE National Assembly late Friday night approved $16.6M in supplementary provision for the establishment of a Department of Innovation and Education Reform, but only after Minister of State Joseph Harmon was grilled on key aspects of the unit at the level of the Parliamentary Committee of Supply.
Former Education Minister Priya Manickchand, who now sits on the opposing side of the House, felt a detailed explanation was necessary, as the notes on the Financial Paper were “very vague.”

As such, she questioned the minister about the purpose of the department, noting that before the House grants its approval, clarity must first be had.
In response, Minister Harmon disclosed that the Department of Innovation and Education Reform falls under the Ministry of the Presidency, and is aimed at improving education and learning outcomes through innovation.
It was pointed out that the key areas of focus include capitalising on new innovative trends and personalised learning that rely on the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), in addition to addressing the parallel challenge of promoting learning in an equitable way, as well as the potential for modern approaches to providing quality education.

“This decision arose out of an analysis which was made from a Commission of Inquiry which was conducted into the education system, and proposals which were made to the Cabinet.
“And based on those proposals, this was one of the decisions made with respect to education,” Minister Harmon explained.
Not satisfied with the Minister of State’s response, Manickchand queried whether the government has any intention of presenting its plan for the Education Ministry to the National Assembly, as well as the report compiled by the commission.
Harmon, in response, told the committee that the Opposition would be the first to be presented with the report, once it is finalised.

On hearing this, Manickchand said: “Then we should postpone the exercise, because we are being asked for money for something we don’t know about.”
Undeterred by his colleague MP’s position, Minister Harmon informed the committee that the Department would be managed by a Director and Deputy Director, who are yet to be hired, and will be paid approximately $700,000 and $500,000 respectively.
He went on to explain that the proposed salaries at reference include provisions for allowances, NIS, telephone charges, duty and travel; that the provisions would be publicly advertised, but that public servants would be given first preference.

But the former education minister had one more question for the Minister of State. “Minister,” she began, “your chief education officer, whose mandate is to overlook and establish policies for all the 300,000 children in nursery, primary and secondary, and the 10, 000 teachers in public schools, and for all the administrative staff in the ministry, do you know what salary that post attracts?
“Could I advise you that it is less than $700,000?”
Not yet done, she went on to query whether such huge salaries would not pose a problem, given the substantially lower salary paid the chief education officer, but Minister Harmon responded in the negative.

Additionally, three technical employees: An early, primary and secondary childhood education specialist, a technical research assistant, and an administrative officer will be hired.
It is proposed that these technical personnel be paid approximately $122,640 per month.
The Department of Innovation and Education Reform will be furnished and equipped at a budgeted cost of $3M.
The supplementary provision of $16.6M also caters for the purchase of field materials, office materials, print and non-print materials, in addition to local travel and subsistence, telephone charges, refreshment and meals among other things.

In the financial supplementary paper placed before the National Assembly, $13.59M out of the $16.6M was budgeted under Current Estimates, along with $130M for the creation of a special purpose unit to manage the reform of the sugar industry.
The Department of Innovation and Education Reform was budgeted for under the Ministry of the Presidency (Policy Development and Administration), while the special purpose unit was provided for under the Finance Ministry (Policy Development and Administration).
Provisions for both units totalled $143.5M. The voted provisions for the two agencies totalled $6.9B when the 2017 Budget was approved last December.
The $3M allocated for the provision of furniture and equipment was budgeted under capital estimates on the supplementary paper.

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