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'Pay our bills' - Schools ask for utilities grant from Government
Claiming that schools are struggling to pay utility bills, stakeholders in the education sector yesterday urged the Government to provide a utilities grant for public institutions across the island.
Michael Stewart, president of the Association of Principals and Vice-principals for upgraded high schools, said prior to the Government paying tuition fees for students, schools were able to pay utility bills from auxiliary fees.
"But even that, some parents are refusing to pay. Since the Government say free (tuition), they believe that the small fees are free as well," said Mr. Stewart.
To this end, Nadine Molloy, president of the the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPPS), wants the Government to give public schools a utilities grant.
According to Ms. Molloy the school fees which are used to offset utilities payment are usually depleted by April.
"It would make more sense for us to get a utilities grant or for the Government to take up the cost as early as April," Ms. Molloy suggested.
She added: "Many of us have to resort to paying by other incomes such as our tuck shop."
$105,000 electricity bill
Ms. Molloy, who is also the principal of Buff Bay High School in Portland, said her school's electricity bill for November was $105,000. This, she said, was lower than usual.
"School utility bills can increase when there is an increase in electronics capacity, such as air conditioners and computers," Ms. Molloy told The Gleaner.
Meanwhile, Mr. Stewart said he was in full support of Ms. Molloy's suggestions.
"We welcome any move to take schools out of the financial bind," said Mr. Stewart.
Ruel Reid, principal of Jamaica College, says his school's electricity bill is approximately $532,000 per month.
"Even with free tuition, the total amount of funds does not cover the operation costs of the school," said Mr. Reid.
Ena Barclay, president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), also welcomes the suggestion that government provide a utilities grant.
"I would support the request because utility bills, especially electricity, is at a critical stage now," said Mrs. Barclay.
She noted that, while schools fees have increased minimally, schools still struggle to pay bills because 45 per cent to 50 per cent of fees are used to pay utilities.
Andrew Holness, Minister of Education, said his government was well aware that the overheads for schools have increased because of the increasing oil bill, which ultimately drives up the cost of electricity.
He noted that the government was examining the unfunded portion of schools' overhead costs.
"The government has an obligation to keep contribution to schools apace with the cost that schools face," Mr. Holness told The Gleaner yesterday.
He noted that Jamaica as a country should examine ways to conserve energy and utilis energy sources, adding that the education sector can play a significant role in changing the mindset of Jamaicans towards energy consumption and conservation.
"I have been looking seriously at introducing solar technology on a widescale in schools to the point where they may even be taken off the regular electricity grid," Mr. Holness said.
He noted that, on a recent tour to California in the United States, he met with investors who were keen on introducing revolutionary solar technology to Jamaica.
"And I think the school could be a good place to start," the Education Minister said.
petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com
Claiming that schools are struggling to pay utility bills, stakeholders in the education sector yesterday urged the Government to provide a utilities grant for public institutions across the island.
Michael Stewart, president of the Association of Principals and Vice-principals for upgraded high schools, said prior to the Government paying tuition fees for students, schools were able to pay utility bills from auxiliary fees.
"But even that, some parents are refusing to pay. Since the Government say free (tuition), they believe that the small fees are free as well," said Mr. Stewart.
To this end, Nadine Molloy, president of the the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPPS), wants the Government to give public schools a utilities grant.
According to Ms. Molloy the school fees which are used to offset utilities payment are usually depleted by April.
"It would make more sense for us to get a utilities grant or for the Government to take up the cost as early as April," Ms. Molloy suggested.
She added: "Many of us have to resort to paying by other incomes such as our tuck shop."
$105,000 electricity bill
Ms. Molloy, who is also the principal of Buff Bay High School in Portland, said her school's electricity bill for November was $105,000. This, she said, was lower than usual.
"School utility bills can increase when there is an increase in electronics capacity, such as air conditioners and computers," Ms. Molloy told The Gleaner.
Meanwhile, Mr. Stewart said he was in full support of Ms. Molloy's suggestions.
"We welcome any move to take schools out of the financial bind," said Mr. Stewart.
Ruel Reid, principal of Jamaica College, says his school's electricity bill is approximately $532,000 per month.
"Even with free tuition, the total amount of funds does not cover the operation costs of the school," said Mr. Reid.
Ena Barclay, president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), also welcomes the suggestion that government provide a utilities grant.
"I would support the request because utility bills, especially electricity, is at a critical stage now," said Mrs. Barclay.
She noted that, while schools fees have increased minimally, schools still struggle to pay bills because 45 per cent to 50 per cent of fees are used to pay utilities.
Andrew Holness, Minister of Education, said his government was well aware that the overheads for schools have increased because of the increasing oil bill, which ultimately drives up the cost of electricity.
He noted that the government was examining the unfunded portion of schools' overhead costs.
"The government has an obligation to keep contribution to schools apace with the cost that schools face," Mr. Holness told The Gleaner yesterday.
He noted that Jamaica as a country should examine ways to conserve energy and utilis energy sources, adding that the education sector can play a significant role in changing the mindset of Jamaicans towards energy consumption and conservation.
"I have been looking seriously at introducing solar technology on a widescale in schools to the point where they may even be taken off the regular electricity grid," Mr. Holness said.
He noted that, on a recent tour to California in the United States, he met with investors who were keen on introducing revolutionary solar technology to Jamaica.
"And I think the school could be a good place to start," the Education Minister said.
petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com