Schools spending without approval

THE EDITOR, Sir:

We have heard ministers of education utter in the past about the importance of schools having approved School Improvement Plans (SIPs) prior to receiving state resources to maintain and operate schools. However, one could ask, who is really ensuring that these SIPs exist or if the school boards are implementing them as documented?

These plans should inform the school's budget for the following year, but for years we have seen the appointment of inept members to school boards which significantly hinder the smooth and efficient implementation of these SIPs. The National Council on Education and the minister need to assess the value of this approach going forward of individuals being appointed to school boards, due to their affiliation. Some school boards are well equipped to ensure that these plans are successfully implemented while others lack the necessary skill sets to see it through.

Interventions from the ministry are sometimes hampered by some education officers who are missing in action and have become a part of the systematic breakdown, leading to schools' standard falling. The relevant authorities down by Heroes Circle need to listen more to their stakeholders and act in the best interest of our future generation.

RP