Budget Brief. Ministry of Education Headquarters Head 16. Department of Education Head 17. The Bermuda College Head 41

Transcription

1 Budget Brief Ministry of Education Headquarters Head 16 Department of Education Head 17 The Bermuda College Head 41 March 11,

2 Mr. Chairman, the funding for the Ministry of Education can be found on page B- 101 of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the 2013/2014 fiscal year. The Mission of the Ministry of Education is to raise the quality of teaching and learning so that public schools become the number one choice for parents. In order to carry out its Mission, the Ministry Headquarters is staffed by a Permanent Secretary, Policy Analyst and Executive Assistant, and is supported by the Department of Education. Mr. Chairman, the Education Act 1996 establishes that oversight for the Education system in Bermuda is provided by a Board of Education. Appointed by the Minister of Education, the Board, amongst other things: makes recommendations to the Minister regarding educational policy; makes recommendations to the Minister regarding a statement of vision, values and strategy for education; evaluates, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Education, the performance of schools and boards of governors; makes recommendations to the Minister regarding the curriculum for schools; makes recommendations to the Minister regarding methods for assessing the performance of the educational system and monitoring the implementation of plans for improving the system; and 2

3 makes recommendations to the Minister for the design and implementation of an effective risk management strategy for schools, including policies and measures to control risks relating to the provision of education, security of persons and property and health and safety. The Board of Education comprises representatives from schools, other than senior schools, in different areas of Bermuda; the Berkeley Institute and the CedarBridge Academy; Principals; Teachers; Parents; and persons representing the business community. The Commissioner of Education and the President of the Bermuda College also attend meetings, although they do not vote. The present Board of Education includes the following members: Curtis Dickinson - Chairman Kim Wilkerson - Deputy Chair Kristin Ferreira Joseph Robinson Ann Spurling Craig Bridgewater Fanon Khaldun Holly Richardson Estlyn Harvey Shannon James Keisha Douglas 3

4 Dr. Akbar Muhammad Patrick Tannock Dale Young Llewka (Lew-K-Ah) Richards I wish to take this opportunity to thank all of our Board members for their commitment to the children of Bermuda. Mr. Chairman, for the planning period and beyond, the Ministry set as its strategic priorities to: Increase public confidence in the education system Align the Department of Education with Teaching and Learning and Clearly communicate goals through an accountability framework Mr. Chairman, it might be recalled that in January 2011, the Commissioner of Education, Mrs. Wendy McDonnell, relinquished responsibility for the day to day operations of the Department of Education in order to lead the transformation of the Bermuda Public School System. In order to provide the Commissioner with greater flexibility to focus on teaching and learning and the transformation of the public Education system, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Warren Jones, took on responsibility for the day to day operations of the Department of Education. As a result, the primary responsibility of the Permanent Secretary has been to ensure that human, financial, material 4

5 and facility resources are aligned to support teaching and learning and are aligned to the Government s priorities. Mr. Chairman, the Ministry of Education s cash limit for 2013/2014 is set at $145,391,000, an increase of $7,443,000 or 5.4% from the original budget of $137,948,000 for the previous year. Members will note that the Ministry s portfolio now includes the Bermuda National Library (Head 18) and the Bermuda Archives (Head 19). The focus of today s budget debate, however, is on the Ministry of Education Headquarters (Head 16), Department of Education (Head 17) and Bermuda College (Head 41). Mr. Chairman, in aggregate these three entities have been allocated a total of $141,571,000 for the fiscal year 2013/2014, a 5.7% increase from last year s original budget. 5

6 HEAD 16 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION HEADQUARTERS GENERAL SUMMARY: Mr. Chairman, I now turn to page B-102, where you will note that there has been a significant decrease (of $688,000) in the Scholarships and Awards budget (Cost Centre 26090) compared to last year s budget allocation. The planned reduction is related to Future Education Awards, Mature Students Awards and the Bermuda Government Scholarships. The Ministry of Education is revising its internal policies pertaining to these awards and developing amendments to the Bermuda Government Scholarships Act 2008 that, once enacted, will allow the Ministry to achieve its targeted reductions in that spend category and reallocate the funding to the operation of Ministry programmes. The legislative proposals to the Bermuda Government Scholarships include: Extending the term of each scholarship by one academic year, to a period not exceeding four years, in order to coincide with the typical number of years required to earn an undergraduate university degree; and, Covering tuition and basic accommodation only, to a maximum value of $35,000 per year, instead of covering the total cost of tuition, accommodation (including room and board), a one-way airfare ticket to university and a one-way return ticket upon the completion of studies. The revised legislation will maintain the number of scholarships awarded annually to a maximum of eight. 6

7 Mr. Chairman, these legislative changes will: provide better predictability of the maximum annual cost of Bermuda Government Scholarships; allow the Ministry of Education to reduce its overall scholarship budget going forward; and, allow the Ministry to honour its commitments to past awardees without having to maintain or increase past expenditure levels for scholarships and awards. Awardees under the revised legislation may not require the maximum award of $35,000 annually, in which case budget savings will be reallocated to past awardees whose tuition, room and board and airfare must be paid in accordance with the legislation in effect at the time of their award. Cost Centre (General Administration) supports the salaries of the Permanent Secretary, a Policy Analyst and an Executive Assistant who also supports the Minister. This budget allocation is also lower than the previous budget by $123,000, the majority of which is through savings in overtime by the Executive Assistant and the reduction of overseas travel and training costs as part of the Ministry s continued cost containment and cost reduction efforts. Cost Centre (Grants to External Bodies) captures the cost of grants to external bodies which run programmes that are beneficial to the educational experience of students. This includes television programming of the popular Sesame Street show, youth development experiences through the Bermuda Sloop, the therapeutic riding programme for children with disabilities, and 7

8 assistance programmes for children with dyslexia or math-related learning difficulties. Last year s budget did not include specific funding for these programmes, unlike previous years; as such, the Ministry attempted to find and make savings in other areas to provide for the grants, and achieved this objective in part only. This year s budget allocates $621,000 for grants to external bodies. The reduction of $172,000 from the 2011/2012 actual spend is the result of the aforementioned savings and a change to a fee-for-service approach that the Ministry implemented during 2012/2013 with some previous grant recipients. A fee-forservice approach is a contractual agreement between the Ministry and a service provider in which the cost of a particular service is predetermined or is set at a fixed hourly rate. Only if the service is rendered does a fee become payable by the Ministry. The Ministry of Education plans to award grants during the 2013/2014 fiscal year to the following non-profit organisations: The Bermuda Broadcasting Company - $40,890 for educational programming for preschoolers and young children. (Last year: $40,890) The Bermuda National Gallery - $16,350 for the ArtReach educational programming, which promotes visual arts in schools. (Last year: $16,350) 8

9 The Bermuda School Sports Federation $50,000 to assist financially with the rental fees at the National Sports Centre for youth sports such as track and field, and other organized sports such as football, cricket, and mountain biking. This is a new grant effective 2013/2014; however the same amount was paid directly to the National Sports Centre by the Ministry of Education in past years and therefore this is not incremental spending. The Centre for Talented Youth - $100,000 for their afterschool Gifted and Talented Programme for designated high achieving students. $104,000) (Last year: Global Arts (UN) $33,120 to support Youthnews.com and other leadership development activities for students. (Last year: $33,120) The Student Leadership Development Programme will receive $10,000 to support highly focused senior school students. (Last year: $10,000) The Reading Clinic $75,000 to provide financial assistance towards psychoeducational assessments and diagnostic assessment of primary school children with dyslexia or math-related learning difficulties, and early literacy intervention programmes for public preschool students. (Last year: $20,000) A grant of $25,000 will be given to Windreach to help support the Therapeutic Riding Programme, which allows for an increase in sensory motor skills for 9

10 children with disabilities, as well as social, physical, cognitive and emotional development. (Last year: $15,000) The Bermuda Sloop Foundation will be given $200,500 to provide voyages to middle school boys and girls. (Last year: $200,500) Our final grant recipient is YouthNet who will receive $20,445 to support the mentorships of one thousand public school students through traditional, reading, peer, sports and work site mentoring. During 2013, YouthNet will pilot E- mentoring by leveraging technology as the medium for mentoring senior school students. (Last year: $20,445) The total amount of funds allocated for grants is $571,305. (Last year: $460,305) [NOTE: the amount of $571,305 excludes a professional services contract valued at $50,000, which brings the total expenditures in Cost Centre (Grants to External Bodies) to $621,000]. Mr. Chairman, the following organisations may qualify to receive a fee-for-service when they provide services to public school students. All of these organisations, except for The Menuhin Foundation, support the Alternative Education and Out of School Suspension programme, which I will describe in greater detail later in my presentation: The Adult Education School 10

11 CARE Learning Centre The Technology Skill Center Petra Academy (Deveene Hollis) Impact Mentoring Lighthouse Christian Academy (Tammy Zuill) RHM School House School of Tomorrow (Cannoth W. Roberts) TLC Institute, and The Menuhin Foundation Funds for organisations on a fee-for-service basis are found within the budget for Programme 1702 (Student Services) on page B-105, with the exception of The Menuhin Foundation for which a fee-for-service contract of up to $50,000 is planned within Cost Centre (Grants to External Bodies). SUBJECTIVE ANALYSIS OF CURRENT ACCOUNT ESTIMATES: 11

12 Mr. Chairman, turning to page B-103, members will note in column 7 of the first table the aforementioned reductions in Salaries and Grants and Contributions of $111,000 and $170,000, respectively, from the original budget for 2012/2013. These are partially offset by an increase of $105,000 in Professional Services. During 2012/2013, the Ministry of Education engaged the services of a part-time contractor to provide administrative and operational support to the Board of Education and its sub-committees, maintain the minutes of the Board, and compile reports on behalf of or for submission to the Board. The contractor also provides similar support services to the Scholarships Committee, which reviews all applications received for scholarships and awards, assesses applicants based on established criteria, and makes recommendations to the Minister on which applicants should receive a scholarship or award. EMPLOYEE NUMBERS (FULL-TIME EQUIVALENTS): Mr. Chairman, you will note under the caption Employee Numbers (Full-Time Equivalents) that there is a reduction of one employee from last year s budget for the Ministry of Education Headquarters. An employee retired effective April 2012 and the post remained vacant for the balance of the 2012/2013 fiscal year; for the 2013/2014 fiscal year, the post was reallocated to Cost Centre (Finance and Corporate Services) under Head 17. Mr. Chairman, I also wish to highlight that the column referenced 2011/2012 Actual in this table does not reflect the correct number of employees for that fiscal year; indeed, the figures shown are those of our original budget for 12

13 2011/2012. The actual number of employees for 2011/2012 for Head 16 is four, not five, consisting of three employees in General Administration and one employee in Scholarships and Awards. Column 7 in this table also contains an error, whereby the difference between 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 should be zero, not 3, for General Administration and negative 1, not zero, for Scholarships and Awards. The percentage reduction in Column 8 should be 25%. PERFORMANCE MEASURES: Mr. Chairman, turning to page B-104, you will note the Ministry of Education Headquarters performance measures for the 2013/2014 financial year, along with target outcomes. One measure, for example under Grants to External Bodies, will involve seeking feedback from participants and other knowledgeable observers on students learning experiences and acquired skills from external programmes funded by the Ministry, such as the Bermuda Sloop Foundation, Centre for Talented Youth or The Reading Clinic. This will allow the Ministry to assess the value for money in funding such programmes, and should assist the Ministry in its decision-making process to renew grants in subsequent years, or reallocate the funds to other qualified external programmes or core programmes of the Ministry. Members will note, however, that certain measures come into effect for the 2013/2014 reporting year, and therefore do not have comparatives in earlier years. 13

14 HEAD 17 DEPARMENT OF EDUCATION Mr. Chairman, the objectives of the Department of Education are: To support schools to raise teaching levels so that students are encouraged to learn to the highest possible degree To provide expertise to support schools in providing services and in reaching agreed standards and To assess and evaluate the results of teaching and learning so as to determine progress and to offer help and encouragement where needed. Mr. Chairman, while I intend to set out in some detail the role and function of the Department of Education, I would just like to highlight at the outset that among the priorities for the Department of Education for the upcoming year will be: To work with our principal and teacher stakeholders to transform Middle School Education To review the graduation criteria To expand the Cambridge Curriculum course offerings To raise the standard for teacher recruitment and To expand the service offerings for students with special needs Mr. Chairman, the Education Act 2006 establishes that the Commissioner of Education shall be the head of the Department of Education and operate under the supervision of the Permanent Secretary. 14

15 The Commissioner of Education is responsible for all aspects of the operations of the Department of Education, including the supervision of three directors and overall responsibility for public schools, early learning, curriculum and assessment, special education, professional development, and business operations (business operations are presently being managed by the Permanent Secretary, as outlined earlier). Mr. Chairman, you will also be aware that the Ministry of Education is recruiting to fill the post of Commissioner of Education upon the retirement of present Commissioner Mrs. Wendy McDonell in August of this year. I am certain that members on both sides of this Honourable House will join me, although somewhat prematurely, to wish Mrs. McDonell all the best and to thank her for her commitment to the Education system in general, and the children of Bermuda specifically. GENERAL SUMMARY: Mr. Chairman, turning to the budget for the Department of Education on page B- 105, you will note an increase of $2,024,000 in Program 1701 (Central Administration). This increase is driven by two key programmes that form one of the pillars of the Blueprint for Reform in Education: Educational Standards and Accountability (Cost Centre 27090) and School Improvement and Staff Development (Cost Centre 27031), which together account for $2,201,000 of the increase. 15

16 Funding of $1,978,000 is allocated to Cost Centre (School Improvement and Staff Development) for the salaries of seven mentor teachers and the vacant post of Education Officer, Staff Development. The post of Education Officer, Staff Development will be advertised as part of a re-alignment of this cost centre. This cost centre also funds a central training budget in the amount of $1,150,000 for the professional development of teaching staff across the school system. Mr. Chairman, the School Improvement and Staff Development Section consists of an Acting Assistant Director post (vacant), an Education Officer post (vacant with recruitment being requested) and Mentor Teachers. This section: i. Manages the Teacher Induction and Orientation Programme to assist new teachers in instructional management and orienting teachers who are new to the Bermuda educational system; ii. iii. Provides instructional leadership and support for identified developing teachers; and Co-ordinates and provides support for professional development for schools. Cost Centre (Educational Standards and Accountability) is allocated $1,419,000 to fund the salaries of a Director, three Assistant Directors, 26 schools and Principals and 10 Content Specialists, of which five are currently in place while another five will be added during 2013/

17 The mission of these programmes is to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom by implementing the highest quality standards for the training, supervision and performance management of teachers and principals, and strengthening and distributing leadership through the use of mentor teachers, teacher leaders, and content specialists. Mr. Chairman, this section is responsible for the overall supervision of schools and principals for the purposes of continuous school improvement and developing and implementing educational standards and accountability to hold principals accountable for the effective delivery of the curricula to students and for the results of student learning. In addition, the Educational Standards and Accountability Section is responsible for monitoring and evaluating principals to ensure that they fulfill their responsibilities for the organisation and management of schools. Mr. Chairman, the Blueprint for Reform in Education includes strengthening and distributing leadership as a strategy for instructional improvement. I would like to outline the critically important roles of mentor teachers, teacher leaders, and content specialists in the implementation of this strategy. Mentor teachers: (total of seven: six in place, one to be added in 2013/2014) Assist new teachers in their orientation to the Bermuda Public School System; 17

18 Provide training to, and classroom observation and classroom management techniques for, newly recruited teachers in their first and second years of service, and for experienced teachers as required; Train and guide teachers in appropriate techniques for monitoring and assessing students, and providing feedback to them; and, Coach teachers to ensure research based instructional strategies are applied. Teacher leaders (total of 139) assume a wide range of roles at the school level to support school and student success, so I will highlight only a few. Teacher leaders: Administer a department, such as mathematics, science, or social studies, and supervise the faculty; Promote teachers delivery and understanding of the school curriculum; Collaborate with individual teachers and groups through professional learning, co-planning, co-teaching and coaching to improve teaching and learning; and, Assist their principal with setting measurable goals to be included in the School Improvement Plan and work with the principal and faculty to ensure growth in their content area. For the start of the 2012/2013 school year, five content specialists were introduced into the Bermuda Public School System to improve the quality of teaching and learning at the school sites in the core content areas of Language 18

19 Arts, Mathematics and Science to mirror the Cambridge Curriculum. A further five content specialists will be added during 2013/2014, bringing the total to 10. Content specialists support teachers in order to strengthen their content knowledge and pedagogical skills that is, the skills teachers use to impart the specialised knowledge and/or content of their subject areas. Content specialists provide instructional coaching for teachers in classrooms, modeling of exemplary lessons, professional development support to schools, and programme consultation to principals and ministry officers. Members will note a decrease of $624,000 in Cost Centre (Office of the Commissioner) consisting of reductions in planned overseas contractors, training and travel costs, as well as office supplies and hospitality costs. These are the result of the Ministry s continued cost containment efforts, particularly in spend categories that are deemed to be more discretionary in nature. The reductions have been reallocated to Cost Centre (Substitutes), which supports the salaries of substitute teachers who provide coverage when teachers get ill during the school year. This cost centre was not funded to the extent necessary in the previous budget, considering historical rates and trends as can be seen from the last two years of actual spend: $1,849,000 in 2011/2012 and $1,399,000 in 2010/2011). During 2012/2013, the Ministry applied much more stringent conditions on the use of substitute teachers. Cost Centre (Human Resources) funds the salaries of the Senior Human Resources Manager and the staff who provide strategic advice to the Ministry on 19

20 human resources management, and personnel management services including recruitment, industrial relations, employee relations, employee administration, compensation and benefits. Mr. Chairman, the Ministry has often been criticised for failing to have staff in place at the beginning of each school year. I am pleased to advise my honourable colleagues that the recruitment process for September 2013 began earlier than normal. The first advertisements went out in November of 2012 as opposed to the process commencing in January as in past years. This process has been communicated to staff and the Human Resource Section is tracking progress against deliverables as we begin to receive information from teaching staff in line with communication deadlines established within their collective bargaining agreement. Mr. Chairman, the decrease of $522,000 from the previous budget is due to the elimination of funding for five of the six teacher sabbatical leaves that the Ministry normally budgets for in order to remain within its assigned cash limit. Effective the 2013/2014 school year, the Ministry will consider providing sabbatical leaves to suitably qualified teachers who are interested in pursuing further education in areas of system need. For the 2013/2014 school year, those areas are mathematics, science, special education, early childhood literacy, or gifted and talented education. Should multiple sabbaticals in these areas be approved, the Ministry will endeavor to find savings within other programmes to 20

21 fund the sabbaticals, in keeping with the collective agreement with the Bermuda Union of Teachers. Cost Centre (School Attendance) funds the salaries of an attendance coordinator and six attendance officers who have responsibility for the enforcement of compulsory education. It is their job to ensure that children of compulsory school age are, in fact, in school. Mr. Chairman, I would now like to describe the expenditures for Program 1702, our Student Services Section. The majority of the posts that make up Student Services belong to the Bermuda Union of Teachers and post holders are located in schools on a full-time basis. These include educational therapists, specialist teachers, school counsellors and paraprofessionals. With the exception of the acting assistant director, who is responsible for the senior management and administration of the Section, all other post holders, such as the education officers and school psychologists, are housed in schools and spend the majority of their working hours in schools. Cost Centre (Behaviour Management) - funds 11 behaviour therapists for preschool, primary and middle schools, as well as for the Alternative Education Programme. The reduction of $209,000 from the previous budget is related to two vacant posts that are not planned to be filled during the 2013/2014 fiscal year based on anticipated needs, and the reduction of local travel costs. 21

22 Cost Centre (School Psychology) - funds six school psychologist posts who work across all school levels, in addition to an education officer. Cost Centre (Adapted Physical Education) - funds four adapted physical education teachers who work across all school levels. The increase of $75,000 from the previous budget is to fund the fourth post, which is incremental in response to student needs. The adapted physical education programme is a developmentally appropriate programme which provides the adaptive support necessary for students with movement challenges to meaningfully participate in physical education. Cost Centre (Hearing) - funds three teachers to support students who are deaf, or hard of hearing as well as overseas tuition for three students. These teachers work across all levels. Cost Centre (Primary One Screening) this cost centre was merged with Cost Centre (Learning Support) and the education officer who oversees learning support in all preschools and in P1 is now included in that budget. I will address Cost Centre (Learning Support) and its allocation for 2013/2014 a little further into this presentation. Cost Centre (Vision) - funds three teacher posts, including a qualified vision teacher. These specialised resources teach students who are visually impaired, blind, or have low vision. The number of such students has risen from 11 in

23 to 46 in 2012, of which six require to be serviced with Braille. The teachers are responsible for all levels and teach the Cambridge Curriculum as well as compensatory skills to help the students function and thrive in their regular classroom environment and in the world. This programme has benefited from overwhelming school, family and community support. Mr. Chairman, I am extremely pleased to report on the success of the Busy Bees Braille Programme, which was launched two years ago and is based at the Prospect Primary School. The Busy Bees Braille Programme works to support the needs of six students, ranging in grade levels from P3 to M3 from schools across the island, who have severe vision loss and/or have the diagnosis of losing their vision. With the assistance of and cooperation from Para educators, learning support teachers, classroom teachers, school administrators, and special programmes within the community, students are learning not only adapted and modified academics, but also the nine areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum the body of skills needed by students with visual impairments to participate fully in school, work and daily life. The students are learning specifically how to enhance and incorporate braille and other compensatory skills into their everyday lives, orientation and mobility skills, recreation and leisure skills, assistive technology, social interaction skills, and self-determination. I am also happy to say, Mr. Chairman, that the Para educators working in the Busy Bees programme are currently participating voluntarily in an online braille learning course offered through the Hadley School for the Blind, in order to better support their students with their continuing academic needs. The Hadley School for the Blind is a nonprofit international distance education school based in Winnetka, Illinois, on 23

24 the outskirts of Chicago. Cost Centre (Gifted and Talented) - funds the education officer and one teacher for the Gifted and Talented Programme. The reduction of $93,000 from last year s budget is related to a vacant teacher post that will remain as such pending the completion of a strategic review of this pilot programme. Over the last two years, the Department of Education has piloted a gifted and talented programme within the Dellwood cluster of schools. These schools include the Victor Scott, West Pembroke and Northlands Primary Schools. The programme provided the Dellwood Family of Schools with Language and Mathematics at the P5 and P6 primary level, Language Arts at the M1 M3 middle level and Enrichment from the P4 M3 level. A strategic review of the pilot is presently underway within the Department of Education with the intent of implementing a programme in September The Centre for Talented Youth, previously mentioned as a grant recipient, provides a Gifted and Talented Programme for students who have been designated as high achievers in academics and art through after school courses. The courses include art, sculpture, English, English Literature, SAT mathematics, SAT pre-calculus, pre-algebra, algebra, algebra applications and introduction to logic and cryptology. Approximately one hundred students are enrolled in the programme. 24

25 Cost Centre (Office Support) - funds the acting assistant director of Student Services and an administrative assistant. On a temporary basis only and until the start of the 2013/2014 school year, the cost centre is also funding 13 Bermudian school teachers (10 primary, one middle and two senior) who account for the entire increase of $1,172,000 from the previous budget. These teachers are currently actively working and will be assigned to schools on a permanent basis upon the termination of contracts of teachers from overseas. Cost Centre (Counselling) - funds the education officer for counselling and 26 preschool, primary and middle school counselors (8 preschool and primary school, 7 primary, 10 middle, and 1 Alternative Education). This cost centre was only partially funded in the 2012/2013 budget as a result of budgetary cutbacks, resulting in a shortfall of $675,000 in that year. The 2013/2014 budget funds this programme adequately based on current and expected students academic, personal and/or social development and career development needs. Cost Centre (Learning Support) funds four education officers and 42 preschool, primary, middle and special school learning support teachers (Learning Support teachers at the senior level fall within their respective budgets). Due to budgetary cutbacks, the 2012/2013 budget funded only one-third of the salary costs of this programme, resulting in a shortfall of $3,421,000 in that year. This shortfall is one of the main reasons for the Ministry of Education s request for a supplemental estimate in 2012/2013. The 2013/2014 budget funds this programme adequately based on students needs. 25

26 Cost Centre (Paraprofessionals) - funds 99 primary school paraprofessionals. Some paraprofessionals support more than one child in a school. There are currently 116 paraprofessionals, including three relief posts; five paraprofessionals are at The Berkeley Institute while 10 are at the CedarBridge Academy. Mr. Chairman, in June 2011, in light of budgetary constraints, the Ministry of Education eliminated a total of 96 teaching, paraprofessional and educational therapist assistant posts. Subsequently in fiscal year 2011/2012, in order to meet student needs, the Ministry rehired a number of paraprofessionals and redeployed some of the affected teachers and educational therapist assistants within their schools or to other schools. A net reduction of 53 posts, or 4% of the pool, was nonetheless achieved. However, it was not anticipated nor known at the time of preparation of the 2012/2013 budget that some paraprofessionals would be rehired, and therefore their salary costs were not funded in that budget. This explains the increase in 2013/2014 in Cost Centre (Paraprofessionals), which strictly comprises salary costs. Cost Centre (Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD) Mr. Chairman, autism is a condition that impacts brain development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Medically diagnosed cases of autism have increased dramatically internationally over the past several years and the same is true for Bermuda. Traditionally, students diagnosed with ASD are assigned paraprofessionals who help to support their educational needs in the classroom, in consultation with classroom teachers. However, many of these students 26

27 require more intensive services, including therapies that cannot be adequately provided in the regular classroom setting. The Ministry of Education knows of 35 medically-diagnosed cases of such students within the Bermuda Public School System; however, based on international figures and information gathered locally, we suspect that there may be even more cases of which we are unaware. During the 2012/2013 school year, the Ministry of Education opened a second ASD classroom and has planned in its 2013/2014 budget the addition of a third classroom. classrooms. Altogether, approximately 18 students will be serviced in these Autism is a spectrum disorder - meaning that there is a wide range of disorders that fit that diagnosis. Therefore, the interventions required to assist an individual must be tailored to meet their individual need. We have found that there are some students who benefit from interventions provided in a specially equipped classroom environment, although the classroom environment is not suitable for every diagnosis on the spectrum. The remaining students continue to receive specialised interventions based on their individual needs. It is also important to note that the 2012/2013 budget did not allocate dedicated funding for this very important and growing programme. Cost Centre (Alternative Education and Out of School Suspension) funds both the Alternative Education Programme and the Out of School Suspension Programme. The programme is allocated $1,327,000 for the upcoming budget year. 27

28 You will recall, Mr. Chairman, that I mentioned earlier in this presentation several organisations who may receive a fee-for-service as part of our Alternative Education Programme. It might also be recalled that in 2011, the Department of Education closed The Educational Centre (TEC) and introduced a new structure of Individual Education Plans (IEP's) with the help and support of private sector partners. The Alternative Education Programme was developed for at-risk youth with severe behavioural challenges who were not functioning to their level of ability in the regular school environment. This 1% of the total student population is being serviced through a consortium of alternative facilities so as to best meet their individual learning and behaviour management needs. While in the alternative programme, students are monitored daily, receive counselling services as well as psychological support, and other services that may be deemed required by the student such as drug abuse counselling or anger management. There are currently 46 students enrolled in the Programme, up from 25 last year, and through hard work and dedication they have remained in school. The overall goal is to support student achievement. This programme was not funded in the 2012/2013 year due to budgetary cutbacks; however, costs of $550,000 have been planned in 2013/2014 for fee-for-service agreements with organisations such as CARE Learning, Petra Academy and the Adult Education School. As well, one educational therapist was transferred to this programme, adding a further $92,000 to the programme but not to the Ministry overall. 28

29 In 2011, the Department also introduced a suspension regime in keeping with the provisions of the Education Act. This regime assigns oversight of 'out of school suspensions' for offences detailed in the Education Act to the Department of Education. The Out of School Suspension Programme is a product of mandated compliance with the Education Act so that students are suspended in line with the legislation. The programme delivers our curriculum to students who have been removed from school for committing infractions such as fighting, or possessing and/or using weapons or drugs. The programme eliminates the practice of students being suspended to their homes with no educational supervision. The programme also offers an opportunity to provide therapeutic interventions for students who may be at risk of dropping out of school or developing more serious anti-social behaviours. Students under suspension, when necessary, are assessed and if deemed necessary receive interventions specific to their needs to ensure that when they return to the school body - they have the best opportunity for successful reintroduction. These two programmes have had a positive impact through the services they provide for students. They are presently being assessed in order to ensure that they meet the needs of students and address the concerns of our teachers and principals. Mr. Chairman, these two programmes speak specifically to the 29

30 recommendations of the Mincy Report and the need to keep students engaged in school, particularly our young black males. Mr. Chairman, I would now like to focus on Program 1703, our Finance and Corporate section. Cost Centre (Finance & Corporate) - has been allocated $853,000 to support the salaries of the Ministry Comptroller and the staff who support the financial administration of the Ministry. This section is responsible for providing strategic financial advice to senior management, cost-effective and responsive financial services, procurement and contracting services, and corporate planning solutions to the Ministry s management, employees and schools. This includes payroll administration and processing, scholarship and grant disbursements and financial reporting. Cost Centre (Office Accommodation) has been allocated $1,403,000. This cost centre funds the annual rent, office maintenance, electricity and communication costs of the Ministry s headquarters building, as well as its receptionist and messenger. Mr. Chairman, I am happy to report that in the first nine months of 2012/2013, the Ministry achieved savings in rental costs of approximately $225,000 (32%), predominantly the result of the consolidation of offices at Southside during 2011/2012. Cost Centre (Educational Stores) this cost centre has been allocated $862,000 and supports salaries for the Stores manager, a storeman, two truck 30

31 drivers and two labourers as well as the cost to purchase curriculum-based materials and cleaning and maintenance materials for schools. Cost Centre (School Transport) this cost centre has been allocated $449,000 and funds the salaries for three bus drivers and two bus attendants who provide transportation to our special needs children, two groundsmen who maintain school sports fields, and one Labour, Transport and Safety Officer, as well as the costs to maintain the Ministry s motor fleet. The increase of $109,000 from the previous budget is due to the transfer of the two groundsmen, who last year were incorrectly planned under Cost Centre (Curriculum Implementation). budget. These are not incremental costs to the Ministry s overall Cost Centre (Building, Grounds and Equipment) this cost centre has been allocated $1,380,000 and funds the salaries of the Facilities Manager and one secretary. The majority of the budget, $1,050,000, pertains to repairs and maintenance across the public school system while $100,000 is budgeted for water that is purchased for schools or transferred between schools to maintain adequate supply levels in tanks, and water treatment services to ensure that water quality is compliant with regulations of the Health Department. The increase from the previous budget is related to repairs and maintenance for recurring work that in the past was planned as capital funds, but the nature of the work does not meet the accounting definition of capital. Examples would be mold remediation, pest control, or interior painting of school buildings, all of which are maintenance costs. 31

32 Cost Centre (Information Technology Support) this cost centre has been allocated $3,615,000 and supports salaries for the IT Manager and 11 staff who together provide information technology support services to approximately 6,000 users and hardware and software maintenance of some 2,700 computers and 1,000 peripherals across the Bermuda Public School System. Forty-eight percent of the increase from last year s budget is related to additional local contractor costs to meet the demand for support in schools and bring the ratio of computers-to-technician more in line with the established industry standard for education of no more than 150 to 1 for a satisfactory efficiency service delivery model. The Ministry is currently operating at a ratio of 270 to 1, whereas the additional contractor costs will reduce this to 180 to one. Another 44% of the increase is in communications costs for data hosting services, power consumption and leased circuit costs. Under a three-year contractual agreement, the Ministry houses all of the servers and communication equipment used to provide data services to schools and administrative sites at LinkBermuda in order to enhance security, improve internet service, and reduce the risks of network outages due to hurricanes, power outages and theft. The data centre hosting also minimises costs of moving and/or relocation whenever they arise. Mr. Chairman, turning to Page B-106 Program 1704 (Preschools) There are currently 394 children attending 10 government preschools, a reduction of 8.8% from the 432 children registered last year. The aggregated allocation to preschools for the upcoming budget year is $5,374,000, an 8.9% decrease from last year. This reduction is principally due to savings achieved in security guard 32

33 costs as a result of the installation of closed circuit television cameras, and reduced allocations for office supplies and cleaning materials. Mr. Chairman, during 2011/2012 and part of 2012/2013, the Ministry of Education implemented a new security monitoring model in preschools, primary and middle schools so as to reduce the very high cost of roving security guard services. Through a competitive procurement process, the Ministry installed closed circuit television cameras and monitoring stations and in-so-doing reduced the need for security guards very significantly. I am very happy to report, Mr. Chairman, that in the first nine months of 2012/2013 the Ministry achieved savings of $1,554,000 in security guard service costs compared to the same period in 2011/2012. These savings are across the system of preschools, primary and middle schools. Mr. Chairman, the Department of Education has undertaken a process to relocate preschools to primary school facilities. Over the last two years, the Lyceum Preschool was moved to the Francis Patton Primary School and the Lagoon Park Preschool moved to the Somerset Primary School site. These moves mirror the action of a previous administration which, rather than close a school, added to the number of public preschool places by moving Southampton Preschool to a government-owned building next door to Dalton E. Tucker Primary School. These moves: 33

34 provide parents with children at both the preschool and primary levels the benefit of having them in one location; are in keeping with the policy to house government entities in government facilities wherever possible; continue a plan started with the relocation of the Southampton Preschool next door to the Dalton E. Tucker Primary School; and, provide more square footage allowing for increased enrolment in preschool, an initiative that this Government has made a priority in its Platform. Work is presently underway to determine the feasibility of another amalgamation for September I will provide this Honourable House with an update the moment I am in a position to do so. Cost Centre (Departmental Support Preschools) was funded $10,000 in last year s budget to provide additional funds to individual preschools if needed. The Ministry of Education did not allocate any similar funding for 2013/2014 as practically none of the previous year s funding was utilised. 34

35 Program 1705 (Primary Schools) The total budget allocation for our 18 public primary schools is $29,815,000, which is 8.6% less than in last year s budget. This reduction is mainly due to savings achieved in security guard costs as a result of the installation of closed circuit television cameras, and reduced allocations for office supplies and cleaning materials. However, this reduction is partially offset by the increase in Cost Centre (Office Support), as explained under that caption, for the 13 teachers (10 primary, 1 middle, 2 senior) temporarily placed in that cost centre. Adjusting for the salaries of these teachers, the funding for primary schools is 5.6% lower than last year. Cost Centre (Departmental Support Primary Schools) was funded at $100,000 in last year s budget to provide additional funds to individual primary schools if needed. The Ministry of Education did not allocate any similar funding for 2013/2014 as none of the previous year s funding was utilised. Program 1706 (Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy) The Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy educates 24 students with specialised needs with a budget of $723,000, consistent with last year. Mr. Chairman, turning to Page B-107 Program 1707 funds our middle schools, which currently service close to 1,100 students. The aggregated allocation to 35

36 middle schools for the upcoming budget year is $17,591,000, which is 5.7% lower than last year s allocation. As mentioned under the captions for preschools and primary schools, the reduction is largely due to the cessation of roving security guard services pursuant to the installation of security cameras in schools and to reduced allocations for office supplies and cleaning materials. Year-over-year changes in budgets at the school level are also affected by the number of teachers and their salaries, which will fluctuate based on student enrollment. Mr. Chairman, in recent weeks we have heard some concern in this place and in the public regarding Middle School Education. In my discussions with the substantive Minister of Education, he has advised me that he found that the Ministry, principals and teachers were already looking at the middle school concept and considering what we must do to enhance our outcomes at that level and to better prepare our students to enter secondary school. I have noted that this is a standing item in the meeting minutes of the senior management team of the Department of Education. Most recently, the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Bermuda Union of Teachers and Principals, has established a framework for the transformation of Middle Schools. The intent of the transformation is to address: Public Confidence Increased Student Achievement Staff Expectations Content, Skill, and Knowledge of Educators 36

37 Culture and climate of schools Currency and relevancy Discussions have commenced with representatives of the Bermuda Union of Teachers and Principals to determine the way forward. Mr. Chairman, in the recent Speech from the Throne, the Government noted its intent to begin the necessary steps to introduce an integrated technical curriculum starting at the middle school level. I am pleased to announce that discussions have begun with private sector entities to establish a summer programme. Although discussion is at an early stage, this initiative focuses on science, technology and, mathematics. This proposal along with our Career Pathways programme will help us to determine exactly what technical education will look like as we are working to transform our middle schools. Cost Centre (Departmental Support Middle Schools) was funded at $50,000 in last year s budget to provide additional funds to individual middle schools if needed. The Ministry of Education did not allocate any similar funding for 2013/2014 as none of the previous year s funding was utilised. Program 1708 (Senior Schools) Mr. Chairman, our two senior schools currently service just under 1,400 students. According to current figures in the Budget Book, the senior schools are being allocated additional funds from last year s budget totaling $641,000, a 2.5% increase. The aggregate allocation for the upcoming budget year is $26,490,000, 37

38 of which CedarBridge Academy s share is $13,868,000. Please note, Mr. Chairman, that a further amount of $332,000 will be reallocated to CedarBridge Academy from within the Ministry of Education s overall budget after the approval of all budgets. This required change was unfortunately noted once the deadline to finalise the Estimates proofs had passed. CedarBridge Academy s total increase of $360,000 ($28,000 plus $332,000) is to raise CedarBridge Academy s grant amount, which was underfunded by $1,050,000 in last year s budget due to budgetary cutbacks. This proved to be an unachievable reduction for the school, as evidenced by their revised estimate for 2012/2013. These increases are offset by two fewer teacher posts than last year. The Berkeley Institute was provided an additional $613,000; their projected expenditure is at $12,622,000. These additional funds are to reinstate Berkeley Institute s full grant amount, which was similarly underfunded by $800,000 in last year s budget. This increase is offset by three fewer teacher posts than last year. Cost Centre (Departmental Support Senior Schools) was funded at $50,000 in last year s budget to provide additional funds to individual senior schools if needed. The Ministry of Education did not allocate any similar funding for 2013/2014 as almost none of the previous year s funding was utilised. Mr. Chairman, before I conclude discussion of the cost centres related to schools, let me provide an update on our Throne Speech initiative to extend the school day. I am sure that as you reviewed the Budget Book, you noted that there has been no funding provided for this programme. 38