Stipends paid to some private schools

Eleven out of the13 private schools which were not paid their stipends for months received cheques yesterday.

In a telephone interview, Education Minister Anthony Garcia confirmed only two schools had not been paid, but said they would be paid “either today or tomorrow. We are doing what it takes to ensure those two schools receive their payment.”

Although money has been paid to Bishop’s Centenary Private School, teachers stayed away from work for a second day.

Speaking to Newsday at the school in Woodbrook, school administrator Akai Webster said the principal received the cheque yesterday morning. Webster said out of the 29 teachers, only six reported for work yesterday.

“We got our cheque for the 415 students, for whom the government pays $1,200 per student. Teachers should receive their payments by Wednesday, and we expect to have a full complement of staff.”

She said approximately 150 students attended school yesterday and were divided to be supervised by the six teachers.