Video: Education Minister On Budget
Minister of Education Dame Jennifer Smith said her Ministry’s allocation for the forthcoming fiscal year is $133,989,000, an increase of 5% over last year’s Budget.
“I believe that all Members of the House, as well as the general public, understand that money spent on education is an investment in this country’s social well-being,” said Dame Jennifer at the post-budget press conference yesterday [Feb.24].
Dame Jennifer continued on to say, “There has long been a cry for the re-introduction of vocational education in schools and with the introduction of the Career Pathways we offer a Bermudian solution to prepare students to take their place in Bermudian businesses and industries.
“Career Pathways represents a partnership between the Ministry of Education, the two Senior Schools, the Bermuda College, the National Training Board and Bermuda’s industry partners.
“The programme is designed to provide public school students with avenues that provide preparation for career and/or college and for a fulfilling life beyond the classroom.”
The Minister’s full statement follows below:
Good afternoon,
I know that I do not have to tell you that “despite the current economic climate, the business of government, including the business of education must go on” – but it is a phrase worth repeating.
The Ministry of Education views the current economic climate as both a challenge and an opportunity. We have been able to both find and make savings and efficiencies in the short-term – while working on plans to deliver budget sustainability for education in the long-term.
And the fact that we have been able to do so (coming in at nine million dollars less than our actual budget in the 2010/11 fiscal year without negatively impacting teaching and learning) is due entirely to the hard work and dedication of the team at the Ministry and Department.
I believe that all Members of the House, as well as the general public, understand that money spent on education is an investment in this country’s social well-being.
Our cash limit for the forthcoming fiscal year is one hundred and thirty-three million, nine hundred and eighty-nine thousand dollars, an increase of 5% over the last year’s Budget. This increase represents the true cost of carrying out the business of teaching and learning in Bermuda today.
If you review the estimates, you will note that the revised estimate for the Ministry of Education for 2011/2012 is one hundred and sixteen million dollars or some eleven million dollars over our original budget. However, it is also nine million dollars less than our actual 2010/11budget.
It is our intent to continue to use our human resources in ways that strengthen the system. Therefore, we will continue to look at contracts, retirements and efficiencies as a means to do more with less.
At the same time, and in line with our collective bargaining agreements, we will continue to make system-wide changes that bring about greater equality across the system and across our schools. The intent is to strengthen leadership and instruction within our schools.
In keeping with the Education Act, we are setting student goals and targets across the system in Reading, English Language, Science and Mathematics so that we can measure year by year growth.
Under the Education Act 1996, the Commissioner of Education is responsible for setting annual performance standards for schools so as to measure the performance of the students in each school.
In September, for the 2012/2013 school year, we will introduce Career Pathways.
There has long been a cry for the re-introduction of vocational education in schools and with the introduction of the Career Pathways we offer a Bermudian solution to prepare students to take their place in Bermudian businesses and industries.
Career Pathways represents a partnership between the Ministry of Education, the two Senior Schools, the Bermuda College, the National Training Board and Bermuda’s industry partners.
The programme is designed to provide public school students with avenues that provide preparation for career and/or college and for a fulfilling life beyond the classroom.
Career Pathways are designed to:
- Promote student identification, knowledge, and exploration of career and college options;
- Provide work placements that enable students to observe, experience, and learn, first-hand work values, skills and practices;
- Provide students with the opportunity to participate in advanced college preparation and further college readiness; and
- Foster development of inter-personal communication, relationships, professionalism and accountability.
Participating students will enjoy a weekly placement throughout the semester and may also rotate through Pathways each semester over the two years.
At the end of the 2 years, Students will receive an Advanced Work-Based Certificate.
The expected outcome is for:
- Students to have exposure and certification towards careers and/or
- To have transferable college credits
- Career Pathways will be a seamless part of the curriculum and make up a component of the senior school graduation criteria.
You will hear more as we go through the Budget process.
Thank you.
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