Stop making personal attacks – Dr Reddy

Minister for Education Dr Mahendra Reddy said the Veiuto Primary School Parents and Teachers Association Chairperson Selina Kuruleca should stop making personal attacks and withdraw the letter she had written to him before they can have a meeting.

Doctor Reddy said his stand is clear that the government gives $250 per child per year to all primary schools, and clear justification has to be made to show that some schools need much more than that amount.

Kuruleca had also said that they want an urgent audience with the Minister.

Dr Reddy said he is willing to meet with any parent, however, they should not make any personal attacks like calling people in the Ministry dictators.

When questioned on the personal attacks and whether the Association will withdraw the letter, Kuruleca said this was a personal letter to the Minister and they will not make any comments on it.

His statement follows comments by Selina Kuruleca who questioned the Ministry’s decision to cancel the school’s Fun Day fundraising activity this Saturday and that Veiuto needs more than $390 per child per year to run the school with all the services.

Kuruleca said they would also like to discuss the issue on whether the government can give an additional $150 per child on top of the $250.

Another option is asking the parents to pay for the shortfall.

Kuruleca said Veiuto had asked for $80 per child as school user pay levy early this year.

This has resulted in the school getting $250 per child from the government and $80 school user pay levy from the parents for 2014.

The total amount received per child is $330.

She said this is now insufficient as the cost of providing other services like - provision of exercise books, swimming classes, payment of handymen and groundsmen, insurance for children relating to accidents in schools and provision of sanitary bins for senior girls - are not included in the school grants given by the Education Ministry.

A particular house in Veiuto Primary School was asking parents for a further levy of $80 per family for the school’s Fun Day this Saturday.

The issue was raised with the Ministry for Education after some parents raised concern that they are being asked to pay $80 levy even though the government has said that tuition will be free.

The Minister has also ordered that the Fun Day levy collected should be returned to the parents.

Dr Reddy said every school knows that they should not place any levy on students or their parents without proper approval.

Dr Reddy confirmed that the school should not go ahead with any fundraising activities.

Under the 2014 National Budget, every primary school receives $250 per child per year.