MP urges Central LLGs to invest more in education

ABAU MP Sir Puka Temu has urged district and local level government (LLG) members to invest more in education for the 2024 academic year.
He said this when referring to Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (Dherst) secretary Fr Jan Czuba’s evaluation on 2023 academic year performance as “the worst”, while comparing the number of students who made it to tertiary institutions.
Sir Puka said Central was capable of improving the standard of education through dedication and support given to the provincial education sector.
“It is possible because we have excelled before. We can make an absolute commitment in the education sector even if the economy does not grow,” Sir Puka said.
The provincial education sector was allocated K6.5 million out of the K43 million in the 2024 budget which accounted for 10 per cent of the development budget.
Central governor Rufina Peter said investment in human capital development was priority of the government.
“The provincial government will increase its tuition fee subsidies by K500,000 to K4 million this year.
We will also focus on government approved colleges and universities in light of 2023 experience,” she said.
Peter added that the groundbreaking ceremony of the 80 bed, double storey female dormitory at Kwikila Secondary will soon start with official completion in three months’ time, as advised by the contractor.
“An allocation of K1 million was made for inspection section in 2023’s budget for the purchase of vehicles to increase inspection visits to schools.
“A further K500,000 is allocated in this year’s budget due to the important role of inspectors in improving the quality and academic performance of our students,” she said. Sir Puka said: “If we can answer the question on how we can improve education standards, under the 1+6+6 education structure, in our respective districts and LLGs, we will be able to do it.”
The 1+6+6 education structure was implemented in 2021 where the education system was changed to having one year early childhood education and development, six years of primary education and another six years of secondary education.