Gov't considers making secondary schools financial records public

The financial records of secondary schools could soon be released to the public.

Education Minister, Ruel Reid, said the move is part of efforts by the Ministry of Education to boost transparency and accountability in the spending of government funds.

It is also hoped that the move would get more parents to make monetary contributions towards their children education.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing yesterday, Reid said it is critical that parents have confidence in the financial management of schools.

He was speaking against the background of an announcement that over $2 billion have been released to schools to fund the operation of schools for the rest of the 2016/17 school year.

The allocation is to underwrite expenses from the abolition of auxiliary fees in public schools.

The policy removes the charging of mandatory fees by schools for admission and introduces a contributory arrangement.

Reid said for the school year so far, parents contributed $893 million to schools.

He said schools are to discuss with their parent-teachers' association how much they will request as contribution from parents for the upcoming school year, which is to start in September.

The amount each school will request from parents will have to be approved by the education ministry.