Opposition Leader, Andrew Holness, says it’s clear Education Minister Ronald Thwaites and the Portia Simpson Miller administration do not have education as a priority.
Mr. Holness made the charge during a media briefing yesterday where he criticized Minister Thwaites’ use of the education budget.
The Opposition Leader also described as shameful, the Minister’s call for parents and students to bring water to school to help flush toilets.
Ronald Thwaites was quoted in the Wednesday Gleaner as saying his Ministry has “put some responsibility on parents and students to bring drinking water to school and to bring water enough to wash hands and to flush toilets.”
This, because of the drought plaguing the country. But Andrew Holness is not amused.
Mr. Holness says the Government is not giving education the attention it deserves.
Mr. Holness says he’s also disappointed to be informed that the allocation to support the stocking of books for the book rental programme has been cut in half.
The opposition leader also weighed in on the Government’s approach to the policy of free education pursued by the former JLP administration.
Minister Thwaites has said no-one should be denied educational opportunity because they cannot afford it. However, he’s insisted that those who can, should pay.
Mr. Holness says the reality of what’s currently taking place does not support the stance outlined by the Education Minister.
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