Quality of education will not be compromised – Akbar

Education Minister Rosy Akbar says while there has been a slight reduction in the free education grant, the focus will be making sure the quality of education is not compromised.

She says most of the programs will continue.

Akbar says she is also happy for the 13,000 plus teachers who will not be subjected to any pay cuts.

The Ministry of Education has been allocated $450.6 million for the next financial year.

This will see the continuation of free education and bus fare subsidy.

Salary increments for teachers who obtain new qualifications will now be approved and paid in the next financial year. Those pay raises will be backdated.

For TELS, the government has made some policy changes to raise the qualifying standards for students and lower costs.

For starters, only students who earn marks above 250 on their Year 13 exams will qualify.