Government Plans to Fully Fund Salaries for Grant-Aided School Staff

In December, Minister of Education, Culture Science and Technology, Francis Fonseca announced in the House of Representatives that grant-aided schools will see government pay one hundred percent salaries for teachers, lecturers, and support staff. With the government looking to implement this in the next academic year, will parents still be charged tuition.  Love News asked the Chief Education Officer, Yolanda Gongora, for some clarity.

Yolanda Gongora, Chief Education Officer, MOECST: “That becomes effective the first of September 2024. This is for secondary schools and tertiary institutions who are receiving 70% salaries. And it also includes the support staff for both the tertiary and the secondary schools that are grant aided.”

Reporter: So does that mean that schools will not be allowed to charge tuition? 

Yolanda Gongora, Chief Education Officer, MOECST: “No, that does not mean that. That means that we are helping them to support the payment of the salaries. There is still requirements that must be met because for example, grant aid schools, utilities are paid by the school. Other infrastructure development is met by the school. So there might be fees that may reduce but not necessarily removed.”

The agreement will take effect starting September 2024.