Ministry Of Education Allocated $142.6M Budget
The Ministry of Education has been allocated $142.6 million, Premier David Burt announced in the Budget, with capital funding increased by 40% to $6.4 million to support Education Reform projects.
The relevant extract of the 2024 Budget statement said, “The Ministry of Education has been allocated $142.6 million – an increase of $2.7 million due to salary uplifts. There has been $2 million in Scholarships and Awards allocated for post-secondary education and this year the Ministry will fund 3 scholarship awards for students studying at the University of the West Indies.
“To increase the level of male teachers in the Bermuda Public School System where they can make a significant impact as role models for our children, this year the Ministry will provide awards to assist males in funding teaching practicums.
“The Bermuda National Library will digitise library resources and hire a youth assistant to aid in improving youth services and complete repairs to shelving in the Youth Library to ensure the environment is safer for our young readers.
“Capital funding has been increased by 40% to $6.4 million to support Education Reform projects, completing developments at Francis Patton and Purvis Primary, commencing the transformation of Elliot Primary School and Harrington Sound Primary School into Parish Primary Schools, and Sandys Secondary Middle School into a Signature School for Sept 2025.
“Necessary infrastructure repairs are planned for CedarBridge Academy, the Bermuda College and other schools. The Ministry has been awarded funding to continue providing tablets and Chromebooks to public school students.”
You can read a full copy of the 2024 Budget speech here and view all our coverage of the 2024 Budget here.
All of that for less than 5,000 students. Unbelievable.
An increase in the budget? A classic example of waste and where savings should be made. Student numbers are dropping, schools are closing but more money thrown in.
Bloated bureaucracy in full sight. Must be an easy $10 – 15 million to be saved and used beneficially elsewhere
Clearwater Middle school is in bad condition while trees are almost as tall as some buildings. East End has to be demolished and rebuilt. Francis Patton is building, St. George’s Prepatory needs new windows..