Parties spar over “non-existent” education funds

Patrick Faber

Earlier this week, Leader of the Opposition, John Briceño, revealed that what is left of the education budget is being raided, with Cabinet approval, to attempt to curry favor before elections. Parents are going to schools asking for letters so they can take it to their U.D.P. area representatives. The payments are then said to be made from the Ministry directly to the school. This is contrary to denials by Education Minister Patrick Faber which he repeated today. But Briceño is sticking with his story.

Patrick Faber, Minister of Education

“You and I know that your position have a credible source for anything. You and I know that. But the ministry of education ion its normal course of work assist people by giving grants and assistance, That is my daily work and wherever I am and I am finding that need, I help anywhere in this country no matter if it is election time or not. So the whole thing about them saying that we had 2.2 million and that we are distributing money is absolutely not true. I think I have dealt with that matter on the media already. It is absolutely not true. Area representatives are not getting any large sums of money to give out at election time. That is absolutely false. We stand by the fact that we continue to do what we can so as the ministry of education to help people. It is true that there has to be that kind of finishing of the year. Finishing of whatever monies we have because the financial year is closing. That has nothing to do with election and that is the normal course of the financial years process, so I reject that position and I continue to do the normal work of the Ministry.”

John Briceño, Opposition Leader

John Briceño

(Shrugs) “This Government has not been known to tell the truth.”