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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Karl-Samuda-Education-Ministry.jpg" alt="Karl Samuda 
Ministry of Education
" class="wp-image-6622" /><figcaption>Karl Samuda, Minister with responsibility for the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, addresses the media at the ministry’s annual Back-to-School Press Conference on Thursday. (Photo: JIS)</figcaption></figure>
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<p>The Ministry of
Education, Youth and Information expects a smooth start to the upcoming
academic year 2019/2020 on Monday, September 2.</p>
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<p>At the ministry’s
annual back-to-school press conference, held at its National Heroes Circle
office, on Thursday, Karl Samuda, who has responsibility for the ministry, said
that millions have been invested in various aspects of the education sector for
schools and students to benefit.</p>
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<p>“As part of our
general preparations, we have undertaken a number of things… selected schools
are being renovated [and] all is being done to meet the great demand that is
placed on us at this time,” Samuda said.</p>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>"All is being done to meet the great demand that is placed on us at this time."</p><cite>— Samuda</cite></blockquote>
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<p>Some of the payments
from the ministry towards activities for the new school year include full
funding for temporary and part-time teachers, payment for 18 temporary deans of
discipline, $327 million for the payment of 1,093 school cooks in primary
schools, $100 million for the upgrading of school canteens and provision of
equipment, and $661 million for 126 schools under the 2019-2020 Critical
Repairs Programme.</p>
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<p>Another $120 million
was provided for the PATH (Programme&nbsp;of Advancement Through Health and
Education) students’ literature books at the secondary level, $26 million for
the insurance of PATH students and wards of the State, a contribution of $380
million to the transportation programme of schools in eight parishes, and book
vouchers for the neediest of students to purchase school supplies. Additionally,
the ministry has spent $800 million on books for students under the National
Textbook Loan Scheme and the Primary Textbook Programme.</p>
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