Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools wants increased funding for institutions

The Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools wants the Ministry of Education to provide institutions with increased funding given the harsh economic climate.

The association's president Linvern Wright told The Gleaner that the organisation has been pressing the Ministry to commit to improved allocations to no avail.

Wright said this and other issues have left schools upset.

One such issue he pointed to was the matter of funding for training associated with the education ministry's transformation initiatives.

According to him, principals have decided to stay away from these activities until the matter of funding for institutions is addressed.

"At a meeting of principals, members voted not to attend a series of transformation meetings organised by the Ministry. The vote was in response to a lack of commitment for funding these meetings. This lack of commitment by the Ministry goes into an increase in the amount of money allocated to each school per student attending schools," said Wright.

He noted that the ministry's regional offices have as part of their responsibilities the training of principals and teachers with respect to the transformation project.

According to him, due to the lack of funding, regional offices have asked principals to fund the trainings.

Wright argued that the funding issue must be addressed.

"Eight years ago, schools were given $17,000 per student to run schools. Despite inflation reaching 40% since then we cannot get a commitment to any increase. The principals are of the opinion that in meetings the officials just listen but leave the meetings devoid of any form of commitment to treat complains with any form of urgency.

“We want to hear that regional offices and schools are going to be properly funded so that the objectives surrounding education can be achieved."

- Leon Jackson

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