00:00TUTOR President Crystal Ashey says the allocation, while the largest sectorial provision in the budget, represents a reduction of approximately
00:08$743 million from the previous year's $8.776 billion.
00:14He says the association recognizes the financial constraints facing the country, but wants to see whether the money will address
00:21the education system's outstanding needs.
00:24Ashey says TUTOR will be monitoring whether adequate funding has been provided to settle salary arrears owed to teachers and
00:31other educators for the 2020-2023 period.
00:35For TUTOR, it is not simply about the size of the allocation, but how these funds are prioritized and whether
00:42they will actually reach the schools and the people who deliver the education.
00:46The association is also concerned about the renewal of contracts for essential support personnel, including social workers, guidance counselors, and
00:56school health, safety, and security officers.
00:59Ashey says the reinstatement of the employee assistance program is another outstanding issue.
01:05He has also raised concerns about the timely payments of Unimed claims, as well as gratuities and pensions owed to
01:13retired education workers.
01:15The TUTOR president says the allocation must translate into improvement at schools, where infrastructure problems and shortages of school staff
01:25continue to require attention.
01:27TUTOR will therefore be looking closely at whether adequate funding is provided to settle outstanding 2020-2023 salary arrears owed
01:35to remaining teachers and educators,
01:37the renewal of the renewal of essential personnel, the renewal of essential personnel, such as the BOAs, school social workers,
01:42guidance counselors, school health and safety officers, and the reintroduction of the employee assistance program.
01:49Ashey says school repair and maintenance must be prioritized, along with providing teachers and other education workers with the equipment
01:58and resources needed to carry out their duties.
02:01He also addressed the government's description of the budget as a people's budget, saying putting people first must include educators
02:10and the thousands of workers who support the education system.
02:15These persons must be provided with the necessary tools, equipment, such that they can execute their duties in the manner
02:21in which it is supposed to.
02:23Ashey says TUTOR will continue to assess whether the allocation is sufficient to meet the education sector's outstanding obligations and
02:33operational needs.
02:35Alexander Brussel, TV6 News.
