Budget 2021: PM Harris announces $103 million for education

St Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris presented the budget for 2021 in St Kitts and Nevis Parliament on December 15, 2020, under which he announced a sum of $103 million contributions towards the education sector.

$75.2 million for recurrent programmes, $28 million capital expenditure and additional funding for scholarships. “Minister of education will advance the implementation of the 2017-2021 Education Sector Plan and try to make up lost ground as a result of the pandemic,” Prime Minister said during his address.

He added that the particular ministry would continue its efforts to enhance the quality and relevance of teaching and learning across the federation’s educational system. The resources would assist the ministry in building further the resilience and support systems necessary to improve on the delivery of better quality education, which will undoubtedly help to underpin the recovery and overall transformation process over the medium term.

Prime Minister further said “Given our small population, we need to enhance the quality and excellence of the performance of our people. My Government will continue to support the participation of our citizens in tertiary education, enabling them to be better contributors to our society.”

While talking about Government’s efforts during Covid-19, PM Harris asserted that the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis hello expended close to $10 million to assist the students of the University of West Indies, Monroe college, Cuba and elsewhere. “The high level of support will continue in 2021.”

To ensure the maintenance and enhancement of the PAP programme in Saint Kitts and Nevis during Covid 19 world crisis, Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris said in his address that the Government would spend $27.8 million on PAP program to strengthen it.

“My administration recognises the importance of PAP initiative and the need to ensure that it remains sustainable for the benefit of those citizens who require essential support. I am pleased to indicate that this is a hallmark feature of 2021 estimates and we propose that the sum of $27.8 million would be allocated it to continue to assist our people who are in need.”