$338m security bill for schools

According to Sinaswee-Gervis, these sums were based on a 2008 rate, adding,“We are going out shortly to tender and we expect that (the security bill) would be higher for 2017. “ The expenditure covered government secondary and primary schools, some early childhood centres, and the ministry’s buildings at various locations.

Sinaswee-Gervais said that the 2015 budgetary allocation was actually $185.7 million, but the expenditure was $172.4 million.

In 2014, the allocation was $165.8 million, and the expenditure was $165.7 million.

The MTS and a variety of companies provide security for the Ministry..

Noting that the security costs were very high, PAC member Senator Dr Lester Henry asked if the ministry was doing anything to reduce it.

Sinaswee-Gervais said that due to the number of thefts and losses by districts, it would be difficult to reduce the security bill, particularly in some communities.

“We have a different environment, and the community to deal with it now,” she said. “It is difficult to say that we could find a way to reduce this bill.” In terms of the service the police service provides in protecting schools, she said there were links with community police who would visit schools to mentor students on safety and security issues. Some schools also have police youth clubs.

Meanwhile, on concerns expressed about the great deal of expenditure to replace furniture at schools, Sinaswee-Gervais said, “I have to admit that we do not get furniture built as they were made during my time in school.” She said that bonded contractors provide the furniture, so that the ministry at this time cannot choose someone who may produce better furniture.

Children would not have changed so much to damage furniture due to fights or vandalism, she said.

The Ministry of Education spent a whopping $12 million to transport pupils from the Piccadilly Primary School to the Tranquillity Primary School, both in Port-of-Spain, in less than one calendar year.

This was revealed in a document recently circulated to parliamentarians pertaining to the Finance (Variation of Appropriation) (Financial Year 2016) Bill 2017.