Almost $2M spent on print and electronic ads

The Ministry of Education has spent just under $2 million in advertisements in the print and electronic media from January 2002 to January 2004, Education Minister Hazel Manning disclosed yesterday. The largest amount was spent in 2003, approximately $836,000. Among the things which Manning identified specifically as requiring advertisements were the promotion of the Student Support VISA Electron Bank Grant ($20,987.50) and the SEMP (Secondary Education Modernisation Programme) ($300,000).

She was speaking in response to a question filed by Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar in the House of Representatives yesterday. In response to another question, Manning stated that out of 488 primary schools, 35 were without computers. Manning added that the SEMP  Co-ordinating Unit had indicated that it had provided 110 of the 132 secondary schools with at least one computer. Only 20 secondary schools had not been provided with a computer through that programme, she stated. She also disclosed that the Ministry of Education was embarking on Phase IV of the computerisation for primary schools and was obtaining quotations to purchase over 3,000 computers for primary schools. She added that over US $5.1 million was being spent for technology upgrade and the provision of computer laboratories at 100 secondary schools.