$127.13 Million Allocated For Education Ministry
The total allocated budget for the Ministry of Education in 2015/2016 is $127.13 million, which represents an overall decrease of $6.7 million or 5% compared to the 2014/2015 budget allocation, the Minister of Education Wayne Scott said today [Mar 4].
The 2015/2016 Budget for all Preschools is just under $5 million, with the 10 preschools in the Bermuda Public School System serving 403 children. The total budget allocation for the 18 public primary schools is around $30.4 million, and in September 2014, enrolment for the 18 primary schools was 2,594 students.
The total budget allocation for the five Middle Schools is just over $17 million, and in September 2014, enrolment for middle schools totalled 1,028. The two Senior Secondary Schools service close to 1,200 students with just under 200 staff, and have been allocated a combined budget of just over $23 million.
The Bermuda College receives an annual grant from the Ministry of Education, and for the fiscal year 2015/16 has been allocated just over $16 million, and in the Fall of 2014 the College enrolled 1,108 students.
The brief — delivered by Minister Scott in Parliament today — also details the funding for a myriad of other programmes such as the child development programme, after school care programme, administration, school improvement, scholarships and more.
Some of the budget changes detailed by the Minister are below:
- Salaries are higher by $765,000 (1%) as a result of discontinuing the furlough days, and the reduction of filled posts through attrition.
- Other Personnel costs are lower by $229,000, (52%). This is largely related to the decrease in funds budgeted for the Long Service Awards.
- Training costs are lower by $2,284,000, (72%) due to reduced allocations in monies for the professional development of Department and teaching staff across the school system; and a change in the method used to conduct professional development.
- The decrease in funds for Transport by $41,000 (27%) is due in large part to the reduction in overseas freight and associated costs.
- Travel costs are higher by $135,000 (78%); as associated costs for specific professional development training slated for the upcoming 2015/16 fiscal year.
- Communication costs decreased by $498,000 (30%), in part due to lower projected costs for Information Technology Support as a number of projects were completed during this budget year.
- Professional Services costs are $45,000 (4%) higher. This increase is mainly attributed to examination fees.
- Rental costs are marginally lower at $874,000 (5%) primarily due to lease negotiations and reduced equipment rentals.
- Repair and Maintenance costs declined by $159,000 (7%) as a result of lower funding for security services and a one-off operating security initiative undertaken in 2014/15.
- Energy costs decreased by $251,000, (14%) reflecting intended energy efficiency savings in keeping with the mandate of the Department of Energy.
- Materials and Supplies expenditure is $129,000 lower (6%) as a result of increased efficiency in school supplies.
- Grants and Contributions are $1,962,000 (7%) lower due to reductions in the allocations to all Aided Schools
The full 93-page education brief follows below [PDF here]:
Once again, I am left puzzled.
My calculations indicate that 91 million has been allocated for education from the preschool to college level.
Therefore the remaining 36 million, a sum greater than the 30.4 million allocated to 18 primary schools, is spent on, “…myriad of other programmes such as the child development programme, after school care programme, administration, school improvement, scholarships and more.”
In this circumstance, I think the “more” needs some clarification.
Try reading the brief, it’s clarified there, administration costs sucking up a ton.
Ummm…the parents/teachers supply a good bit of stationary any way.. so what are mu tax payer dollars going towards???
How much odoes it cost to educate each child based on these numbers? what are the total enrolled students as this is confusing?
It would also be interesting to know the number of children in education in comparison to previous years.
PTA’s are already being told to expect school closure(s).
All because the unions won’t continue the furlough.
And how do the unions thank us? By sitting at home pretending to be sick.
You sound like one of the oba that are spinning the AG show story.
my childs education was ‘privatized’ … no regrets
Why is it that more and more money is being taken from Education? Is it because it doesn’t make money OBA that you take money from the children/teachers?
Years from now when our leaders are in adequate because their learning foundations aren’t stable, remember the OBA constantly took money from Education and were happy to do so.
Tough Love, by now you should know that money does not guaratee the quality of education but the it is the quality of the teaching staff that does! When you do an analysis of the large sum of money education receives and the declining enrolment, it is obvious money is NOT the issue.
I have said it before. Stop taking money from the education of our children, and instead, take the money from the criminals housed at the various “hotels”. I dont see how we continue to house, feed, and ensure their medical and dental health, when some families cannot afford these basics for their children. Gov’t spends more money for the criminals than our children. It is a slap in the face! I would rather put more money into education, and then maybe we wouldnt have as many ppl incarcerated. I really dont want to assist with the care of these criminals after they’ve commited their crimes, and have stolen the rights from hard working, law-abiding citizens. Also, put them to work without pay as community service to payback the community for their crimes. Free labour, and may help with their rehabilitation in order for them to be productive members of society when they are released.