Education Minister: 68 percent of books distributed

Education Minister Hazel Manning yesterday revealed that almost 68 per cent of the textbooks to be distributed to primary schools had already been delivered as, according to the Minister, “The majority of primary schools opened on Thursday and Friday.” Admitting that not all primary schools had opened on Thursday, Manning claimed that “the majority of primary schools had received their books.” Speaking with reporters at the formal launch of the Student Support Visa Electron Card at one of the newly constructed secondary schools, the Bon Air High School, Manning said there was no keep back regarding the $1,000 book grant card. She assured parents that they could visit their children’s schools to sign and collect their cards, but that it would take three days for the bank to activate the cards.

Questioned as to whether the failure to appoint the Central Tenders Board hindered the process of organising the cards, Permanent Secretary Angella Jack claimed the Board was functioning within a week and that this in no way interfered with the production of the cards. Pressed by reporters as to whether this also prolonged repairs to schools during the vacation, Manning vehemently replied that the Central Tenders Board had nothing to do with this “as there are just so many contractors in this country.” She accused the media of “mixing up the facts and rumours that people are giving you and coming up with your own stories and saying we (the Education Ministry) are incompetent.”

Concerning a three-page release which had been issued from the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday itemising a number of different initiatives being put in place by the Education Ministry and if it was to be the norm that the Office of the PM will be issuing press releases relevant to the Education Ministry, she denied knowing about this. Instead, she said, “I can’t tell you a thing about the Prime Minister’s Office,” and referred us to the marketing department. “Maybe they are going to do it on all other Ministries and this is just one,” Manning offered by way of explanation. Revealing that over 38,000 cards were to be distributed to Forms III and IV, as well as Lower VI, Manning said they were considering renaming the Bon Air High School the George Padmore High School or the Donovan Palmer High School — past education officials. She extended congratulations to the 36 students who placed in the first ten in this year’s Cambridge exams and also cautioned parents and guardians to use the card wisely and carefully.