October 30, 2023 at 9:00 pm
Press Release: Where is the vision of the education sector in the 2024 budget?
The 2024 budget presented by the government includes a commitment to conclude negotiations with MUT on a new Sectoral Agreement for educators. This is most welcome.
However it falls short in providing new initiatives for the education sector, particularly the vision. The budget document mentions just three main items which are directly related to the sector but which have already been announced in the past months: The National Education Strategy 2024-2030; the laptop for students in year 7 and the completion of infrastructural works on a number of schools.
The budget fails also to mention whether the government shall be providing a relativity adjustment for COLA for 2024 for its employees in the public service and public sector. This was provided in 2023. Unless this adjustment is provided, government employees will be short-changed.
