Free education a relief: Official

THE reinstating of free education is a relief for Catholic schools in the country to settle their debts before the school year begins, a senior official says.
National Churches Education Council chairman Michael Ova said funding released in a timely manner would enable schools to settle their debts from last year before concentrating on the new projects, facilities and school developments in the new year.
“On behalf of the churches, I thank minister and secretary for the release of the K313 million at this time of the year when there is a need to settle debts and other requirements before school starts,” he said.
However, Ova said the Government needed to clarify if this year’s funding for the free education policy would also cover last year’s shortfall and the debts incurred by many schools.
“There is no comment on the K150 million (outstanding from last year) whether it is part of K313 million (for this year) or yet to come,” he said.
“There has to be clarification to the schools and parents.”