Education Minister challenged over govt’s $250K concert
Education Minister Sharie de Castro has been quizzed over the apparent lack of funding for repairs and maintenance of schools in the territory, even as the government moves to hold a concert that will cost taxpayers roughly $250,000.
While appearing on the Talking Points radio show yesterday, de Castro was questioned about what was being done to remedy persistent infrastructure and maintenance issues that have been plaguing public schools for decades.
Several schools have, over the years, complained of having mouldy conditions and insufficient equipment to effectively carry out their duties.
But Minister de Castro said assessments have already been done on that front and a plan of action is being worked on to execute some of the projects during the upcoming school break.
“That’s something that we’ve worked on over the last few months and really I wish we had a bit more time to fully execute it in the manner in which we would want to, but really that boils down to budget,” de Castro said. “And so, what we are seeking to do is to seek additional funding through a supplemental appropriation to be able to get the funds, because we have already done the work to understand…”
Minister de Castro explained that, while it is all well and good to say there is a need for funding to fix the territory’s schools, it is also important to be able to do the necessary legwork to quantify what is needed to move forward.
“What we have to do is consider what we can do over the summer given the restricted time period, and phase the rest throughout the year,” she said. “But it definitely is possible, and I could say that we do have the figures to now be able to go ahead and execute the works.”
$250K party while $$ to fix schools are low
Host on the programme, Damion Grange stated in response: “I am feeling a bit sorry for you in a sense, because if you’re saying that we have done some work to try and make sure that school is ready for reopening, but you are short on funding to do a better job, and then I could hear about a $250,000 party, I’m concerned.”
But de Castro assured that she has received a commitment from Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley to ensure that funding will be made available to execute the badly needed projects to fix schools.
“I can say that the Ministry, did do its work and I expect the full support of the Premier and Minister of Finance and I believe we will get it in order to be able to address the concerns,” de Castro stated.
She added: “We won’t, as I said, because of the timeline, realistically be able to address all the infrastructure concerns. But what we will do, is ensure that they are to a safe standard, while we continue with our maintenance year long.”
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The tax payers are paying for the VIP victory party. That is exactly what is going on there. Lorna should be the one paying because she gave them the government.
I think some of the same ones who complaining about the free $250k free party are the ones who might willingly pay to see the same artist if it happens to be at the festival ground. Best the premier had charge an entrance fee for the party and we would not have hear all this bacchanal.
NO CONFIDENCE VOTE #3. Lack of common sense of the primer to put priorities in order and make funds available where it concerns the health and safety of our students, teachers, community and education system FIRST. Next, we are in a hurricane season, the funds could be better placed for emergencies and to help the more vulnerable prepare. But #1 is a lousy party. If nincumpoop had a face. The education minister can see that we have a leadership problem if TILL TODAY she is floating on assurances…NO CERTAIN PLAN! Yet there is already a specific, without any doubt, plan for a stupid party. Who coming. When it will be. Where it will be. Who getting paid, how much they getting paid while the dilapidated schools have been placed on a back burner yet again. Education minister BETTER SPEAK UP AGAINST THE FOOLISHNESS! If Sowande want to be a party planner, he should go and be a party planner with his own DAMN MONEY!
or you can simply not waste 250 k on a concert?
THE BVI IS BEING RUN BY A SET OF CHILDREN!!!
It’s really a head scratcher that the government is actually spending a quarter million dollars on a party to celebrate the arrival of these AA flights. IMO the welcoming party at the airport was well done and sufficient. No need for anything else.
This is a complete and utter waste of taxpayers money imo. A complete waste. What does the country benefit from throwing this expensive party?
After the party is over, nothing of significance would have be gained from this and 250K would have gone out the window. For what? This is outrageous. That money could be spent better elsewhere.
These people did not have to work for that money, so it’s easy for them to spend other people’s money on some meaningless party. People should be outraged by this.
The Premier claims the country is not broke to justify the cost of this gathering, but imo it is an unwise expenditure, and wasteful spending.
That money could be going towards improving the safety of those flights as a down payment towards increase the runway length.
If the government is throwing a quarter million dollar party for a yes important yet small AA flight, how much will they spend when the other airlines they are seeking to travel here ultimately do?
Unwise decision. They need to cancel this free giveaway and start spending tax payers dollars better.
It’s appalling to be throwing this expensive party in light of the COI recommendations targeting good governance. It’s as if they are giving the middle finger to the COI recommendations on good governance which to this day have not been fully implemented.
It’s like the government is back to it’s old ways..spend..spend spend. Party away. Unbelievable.
Meanwhile, American Airlines is not throwing any party. They are pocketing all the money they can from these flights amid expanding their routes. Contrast to our government essentially throwing away our money. Unbelievable.
Always mixed up in this place SMH
Did the COI not teach us anything? We are our own worst enemies…
Mr. Premier why such a party and then more expenses for festival celebrations next month?
Tax payers money eh, thought he said it was a grant. This place is really an open asylum; we have more out than in.
Very true. He called it a grant. A grant to who may I ask and furthermore, what assessment was done to determine the utilization and benefit associated with the grant. If this was passed by cabinet, I need to know each and everyone of the bimbo ministers who voted a YES for this stupidness. Each of you individually have a role to play . You have a duty to STOP THE FRIG!
It is evident that they do not have enough supplies. I have a grandchild going to primary school. At the beginning of the school term I purchased almost $200 worth of supplies including some thick books. I notice that the teachers are tearing out the pages from the books for the child to bring home for homework. I find that to be absurd.
If it was a grant, he should say from whom? Even so, you get free money and cannot find a sensible way to make use of it? Stupes
I did not think the government would provide Mr. Frazer with a reason for a no confidence vote so soon.
some of you must find a way to justify wrong. Hear yourself talking filth. How can you compare the village with this dysfunctional decision.
so y’all really complaining on the fact that people will go out and party this summer, which would boost the economy of the whole island as not only the government will benefit from the outcome.
almost 9 million dollars were allocated for school infrastructure last year for these so call students to cause havoc and treat the school as a prison yard.
y’all should be complaining about the road and public infrastructures which we all use on a daily basis, other poverty-stricken countries have already solve this issue ages.
This party is a government customary grant by another name
What’s the big deal. The great UK as some see them spent millions of pounds to swear in a king and left Healthcare and education in a mess.
WASN’T THIS MINISTER ONE OF THE PERSONS WHO SAT IN THE STREETS WHEN THE UK WANTED TO IMPOSE DIRECT RULE ON THE BVI? WELL THE TEACHERS AND PARENTS AND OTHERS NEED TO DO THE SAME THING AGAINST THIS INCOMPETENT GOVERNMENT.
2. A GRANT IS A GIFT NOT A LOAN….
And that’s the example we should follow?
A complete waste of taxpayers money for this upcoming event planned by the Minister of Finance. Here is where the minister of education needs to demand some of this money to ensure she has a proper budget to provide the necessary materials that the public schools need. In this day and age where the cost of living is so high the poor parents should NOT have to buy fans to put in the classrooms or have to supply printing paper and ink for their children to get worksheets. This is utterly ridiculous and these BAD practices need to STOP. Instead of wasting the taxpayers money in this manner, it should go towards improving our education system.
why you call it dysfunctional when its the same party will be going on in the village and artist performing exactly like this one. its just because VIP is doing the party that why we are hearing all this noise???
This is irresponsible…..And there is no excuse for being irresponsible.
Natalio what about the Greedy Bill that you said that you was going to repeal when you got it? You said it was the first thing that you would do. You change your mind and instead decide to throw a party in the guise of American Airlines flights celebration? You all will forever take the people who vote you in for fools and rightfully so, this is the government that they voted for despite the glaring signs of incompetency last term.
No, it is being run by criminals.
Waje up stop the facade for crying oit loud we are in the 31centure
Stop put red tape to buy a frudge, stove, fix broken facets at VITSS
You are micromanaging abd a waste of time . People in position and not doing anything. Heaven help the BVI
BVI SAYS
Let them eat cake
That’s why nearly $500 + was taxed from our increment! foolishness