Education Budget Approaches P10 Billion Mark
Monday, March 08, 2010
The former Education Minister Jacob Nkate was heavily criticised for recklessness last year when the budget for the ministry hit the P8 billion mark. A number of parliamentarians called for his head. This year, the ministry will spend P8.2 billion on recurrent budget, while the rest is for the development according to presentations on Thursday by the new Education Minister, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi before the parliamentary committee of supply.
The budget does not have any new projects and the development funds will be used on ongoing ones. Of the P8.2 billion recurrent budget, the Department of Teaching Service Management receives the largest portion of P3 billion for teachers' salaries and associated costs. The Department of Tertiary Education gets P2 billion for students already on government sponsorship. Another P2.7 billion will go to education officers salaries and subventions to parastatals and running costs for departments.
The Ministry of Agriculture, local producers, retailers, and industry associations must work together to overcome the obstacles hindering vegetable production and distribution.This collaborative approach is essential to improve the availability, quality, and affordability of vegetables in the market.Firstly, the Ministry of Agriculture should provide support and guidance to local farmers to enhance their productivity and efficiency. This could...