The Government does not see the need for a national commission of inquiry into the education sector, although it recognises the challenges being experienced.
Last week, the main opposition – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) – called for the establishment of such a commission in order to determine why results at three levels – CAPE, CSEC and NGSA – continue to be unsatisfactory.
When questioned on the issue today, Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon said that the call by the APNU was discussed at the level of cabinet and that the ministers were not in favour of it.
“It’s not my job to paint a picture of all that is hanky dory…challenges exist, challenges are being confronted. Challenges are being overcome and I think, if the detractors, including APNU the skeptics were to in a balanced way, to put their prejudices behind them, they would, they should, they cannot help but as cabinet is commending our Minister…” Dr. Luncheon told reporters.
According to Dr. Luncheon, cabinet is satisfied with the performance of the students at the CSEC and CAPE levels.
“We don’t need a Commission of Inquiry; I don’t think APNU needs that. They have access to the same sources of information, the annual estimates from the time PNCR 1964 – 1992 was the government and was responsible for the state of affairs in the education sector and had the evidence of the estimates and 1992 to today where the documentation exists of the sustained investments that have been made and to recognize these results that we’re seeing not as a miracle but concrete work that has been done by successive PPP/C administration in this sector, the pumping of money, the implementation of national strategic plans.”
