Repairs on PC Science Lab to start by June - Minister

Repairs on PC Science Lab to start by June – Minister

Jun 13, 2009 News

With its $5.6M capital expenditure afforded through budgetary allocation, the Ministry of Education is prepared to replace the roofing of President’s College (PC) Science Laboratory, which is currently in a deplorable state.
Education Minister, Shaik Baksh, made this disclosure at a recent press conference. However, he said that the repairs cannot be undertaken at the moment. School is in session.
The works would be conducted during the July/August holiday period.
The Minister’s disclosure came as a result of reports that teachers at the premiere institution had engaged industrial action because of the state of the roof and other concerns.
According to Baksh, had the Ministry been privy to the concerns about the roof, measures would have already been put in place to rectify the problem.
He related that over the years the Ministry has been spending a vast sum of money on the institution.
“Recurrent and capital expenditure for 2007 was $163M; in 2008, $168 M and in 2009 $186M to keep President’s College going. In addition to that, we built a dormitory which was completed in 2008 at a cost of $84M because it was burnt. So we are spending a lot of money…”
He said that PC has been receiving money just like other subvention colleges, such as Queen’s College, to run the affairs of the school.
And to ensure that there is equity with the monies spent at these institutions, Baksh said that the Ministry has been looking at the expenditure patterns through a study called ‘Comparative Analysis of funding patterns among secondary schools’.
“We have found in terms of a per capita recurrent cost for PC, that we are spending $283,918 for each student, compared to $108,000 at Queen’s College; at Bishops’ High School the sum at $58,000; and at Tutorial $21,000. We have to bring some equity in the expenditure pattern.”
The Minister noted that apart from the capital and the refurbishment of PC, it has been recognised that increased sums are being spent there which is also reflected in the cost of maintaining the dormitory.
He revealed that the spending per capita in the dorms at PC amounts to $448,000 per year. At another subvention school, Anna Regina Multilateral, the cost is $130,000. “You can see the differential in the cost of running these institutions?”
He said that the Ministry has set up a joint task team with the board of PC and the Ministry, to look at restructuring of non-teaching and non-academic areas for services being provided as well as the staffing.
“We have already moved towards a discussion with the relevant union to deal with the ancillary staffing. In terms of the teaching staff, we are satisfied with the numbers both full-time and part-time.”
According to the Minister, at PC the teacher-student ratio is very low with one teacher to at least 20 students, while the ratio in some other schools is one teacher to about 40 students.
He added that the Ministry intends to strengthen PC and hopes by the next school year to attract a higher intake of students. The college only accommodates just over 350 students at this time.
“We are paying more attention to it (PC). We have to look at the other areas such as the Information Technology, poultry, and agriculture, which are being restructured for greater efficiency and cost effectiveness, without diluting the standards,” the Minister asserted.

Latest News

Repairs on PC Science Lab to start by June – Minister

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

𝐓𝐒𝐔, Region 2 book semi-final spots as teams look towards...

World Athletics recognize AAG Elections

Ramdehol named Berbice skipper ahead of GCB U17...

National player Nigel Bryan represents Guyana at...

Newton embarks on two-week training in Paraguay

Kennard Memorial Turf club expresses heartfelt...

Features/Columnists

The U.S. pressure on Venezuela may backfire on Guyana

The Caribbean: Destined to Grin and Bear the Consequences of Its Self-Created Vulnerabilities?

President Ali’s dawn patrol

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Repairs on PC Science Lab to start by June – Minister

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]