PARLIAMENT REACHED a rare plateau of political unanimity Tuesday night in adopting a revised resolution by Opposition Leader Edward Seaga aimed at revamping the financing of the education system.
Both sides of the Gordon House chamber joined in applauding Mr. Seaga's initiative. It was a unique tribute in a Parliament more attuned to sharp exchanges and divergent stances on policy proposals. The result was a nine-point commitment to increase the allocation to the Ministry of Education from 10 to 15 per cent of the national Budget over the next five years.
Mr. Seaga had sought initially in a motion tabled when the House of Representatives resumed from its summer recess calling on the Government to abandon cost-sharing and the financing of education through the PATH programme. His 12-point proposal sought to reduce the cost of schooling to parents and called on Government to assume the cost of education for all children up to age 18.
The debate which began on October 7 hit a snag from microphone malfunction in the House; but both sides sought in subsequent consultations the following week to reach compromise on an amended resolution which was adopted Tuesday night.
In essence, it has been agreed by Government to renovate, rebuild and equip basic schools; provide a comprehensive textbook-lending programme for primary and secondary schools; work with schools to provide a compulsory homework/literacy hour after classes; upgrading of teachers to degree levels; and target a teacher-to-pupil ratio of 1:25 at the primary level.
This historic parliamentary consensus comes a year after last October's General Election campaigning in which both major political parties laid great stress on Education.
It is therefore encouraging that the Parliament should move unanimously in striving to break new ground not only in pursuing the vital goals of educating our children but in a manner that does credit to the best of parliamentary traditions.
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