Local Government Minister Dr Surujrattan Rambachan told reporters on Thursday cabinet is still to consider a proposal to provide $10 million annually to each of the 41 Members of Parliament for work in their respective constituencies, including social development needs.
Rambachan said the Government is reforming Local Government to ensure that councilors have offices and secretarial staff and certain tax benefits for the purchase of vehicles.
He said such a measure in common in many countries. "In Jamaica, 2.5 of the national budget is spent on this matter and there are other countries in the world including India and Kenya where such funds do exist so that there are other parts of the world and in the Commonwealth that have such an activity," he explained.
Rambachan's cabinet colleague, Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh, also spoke with reporters Thursday. He revealed that Cabinet has approved about $94 million for the Textbook Loan Programme for students in primary and secondary schools.
Gopeesingh advised parents not to buy textbooks until it is determined which ones Government will be providing. He explained that under the program each student will have books on loan for at least three years. Primary school students would have five textbooks. Those in secondary school would have seven.
He added, "In addition, the Ministry will provide textbooks which have been selected by the Principals and teachers at the Secondary level for all subject areas."
Gopeesingh also stated that there are going to be changes to ensure that one supplier alone doesn't benefit.
"This whole system has been changed to allow for a wider participation but of course taking into consideration what the Principals and teachers want for their particular schools to be used. The cost of this exercise for this year, the expenditure to be incurred is approximately $94,074,633.26."
Rambachan said the Government is reforming Local Government to ensure that councilors have offices and secretarial staff and certain tax benefits for the purchase of vehicles.
He said such a measure in common in many countries. "In Jamaica, 2.5 of the national budget is spent on this matter and there are other countries in the world including India and Kenya where such funds do exist so that there are other parts of the world and in the Commonwealth that have such an activity," he explained.
Rambachan's cabinet colleague, Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh, also spoke with reporters Thursday. He revealed that Cabinet has approved about $94 million for the Textbook Loan Programme for students in primary and secondary schools.
Gopeesingh advised parents not to buy textbooks until it is determined which ones Government will be providing. He explained that under the program each student will have books on loan for at least three years. Primary school students would have five textbooks. Those in secondary school would have seven.
He added, "In addition, the Ministry will provide textbooks which have been selected by the Principals and teachers at the Secondary level for all subject areas."
Gopeesingh also stated that there are going to be changes to ensure that one supplier alone doesn't benefit.
"This whole system has been changed to allow for a wider participation but of course taking into consideration what the Principals and teachers want for their particular schools to be used. The cost of this exercise for this year, the expenditure to be incurred is approximately $94,074,633.26."
Gopewssingh said in 2009 one publisher made up to $30 million selling primary school books and $30 million for secondary school books.
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