Education to remain second on the budget

Debbie-Ann Wright, News Editor
The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre

Finance Minister, Dr Peter Phillips, has given a commitment that education will command the highest share of the national budget after debt servicing for the rest of the current administration’s term in office.

Education currently accounts for 12 per cent of the budget, receiving some $73.8 billion of the $612 billion Budget tabled in May.

Dr. Phillips says while education received the second highest share of the Budget this fiscal year, it does not reflect the Government’s full commitment to education.

He says within a few weeks he will be taking to Cabinet the policy document setting out the framework for private/public partnerships in education.

He says while the government has a major obligation to settle the debt, it does not believe that should set back progress in education and other areas of social and economic development.

Dr. Phillips was speaking this week at the Mile Gully High School in Manchester.

debbie-ann.wright@gleanerjm.com