Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Molloy

Some schools are struggling to pay utility bills because of a shortfall in fee subventions from the Ministry of Education, said Nadine Molloy, president of the Jamaica Asso-ciation of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPSS).

Molloy, also principal of Buff Bay High School in Portland, said her institution, which has 720 students on roll, should have received $6.1 million from the Government. However, there was a shortfall of $700,000.

"We have a problem. I will safely be able to pay my bills for the end of this month, but I am not seeing myself paying for the other month," Molloy told The Gleaner Monday.

Experiencing problems

She added, "I don't think I should be doing any fancy footwork to pay the bills."

Molloy said several other schools were experiencing the same problem. She noted that this was not the first time institutions were victim to a shortfall in school-fee subventions.

Michael Stewart, president of the Association of Principals and Vice-principals of Upgraded High Schools, said his association had similar concerns.

Stewart said some institutions were now seeking authorisation to offset utility debts by using money allocated to cover travelling expenses for senior officers, among other things.

"We are really having harsh days because with the increase in utilities, a number of schools are now in the red ... and utilities will be cut off before the term ends if something is not done," said the head of the principals' body.

Meanwhile, Molloy wants the Government to pay utility bills for public schools, adding that principals should focus on crafting and executing policy rather than racking their brains to solve financial problems.

Solar system in schools

She also suggested that the Government move swiftly to install solar energy in schools.

When contacted Monday, Education Minister Andrew Holness said, in response to a complaint from Molloy, he had instructed his primary financial officer to conduct a review of the financial position of all the schools.

Holness said there had been a significant increase in the allotment of school-fee assistance for the next school year. The overall sum for tuition fees is $2.76 billion, up from $1.82 billion.

Government in the past paid 50 per cent of students' tuition fees, while parents covered the remainder. However, since September last year, the Government abolished tuition fees in secondary schools, and now pays the fees in full.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com