The Latest Developments in the Education Sector

Patrick Faber

Education Minister Patrick Faber has provided a brief update on several issues affecting public schools across the country.  Over the past week, a series of meetings have been held with four primary schools in an effort to bring them under government’s fold.  Likewise, the Deputy Prime Minister also touched on an outbreak of gastroenteritis that has been affecting students in the Stann Creek and Orange Walk Districts.

Patrick Faber, Minister of Education

“I can tell you that we did have a meeting with the four, what are deemed now community schools, that we are asking if they would like to come under government proprietorship.  Meetings were held last week.  I can tell you as well that there have been meetings concluding the discussions on the hardship allowance as well, and from what is reported to me, because I am not in those meetings, things seem to be working well and progressing well and we don’t expect any kind of fallout over these issues whatsoever.”

Reporter

“Concerning Maya Mopan School, have classes returned to normal and have the problems that they were dealing with solved?”

Patrick Faber

“I am not intricately involved with what is happening there so I don’t want to comment on that at this time.”

Isani Cayetano

“You’ll take a question from me in respect of what seems to be an outbreak of gastroenteritis in some of the public schools, particularly in the St. Margaret’s area, as well as up north.  Is the Ministry of Education aware of this and of course the impact of it on attendance and what have you?”

Patrick Faber

“I’m not sure about the impact on attendance.  We are aware of it and we have been working with the Ministry of Health to see if there is a situation that merits a deeper looking into.”