An additional $12 million will be spent on Education in 2006 ? $500,000 going to increased security at the new Berkeley Institute.

In the Budget Statement yesterday, Finance Minister Paula Cox announced she would spend $132 million on the Ministry of Education and Development in 2006/2007 ? an increase of $12 million over 2005/2006 when Education was granted $120 million.

Education and Development Minister Terry Lister said a $500,000 increase of provision for security in schools was due in part to the new Berkeley being so big.

?That really reflects across the whole system, the security bill just goes up because it goes up,? Mr. Lister said yesterday. ?There is also the aspect of the new senior secondary school being a much larger plant therefore it is going to have costs associated with it as well. It is vitally important for us that our children be safe.?

Minister Cox said class sizes in primary schools were now smaller.

Aided schools like Berkeley Institute, CedarBridge Academy, Sandys Secondary Middle School, St. George?s Preparatory School and Whitney Institute will also get a windfall of $2.5 million, she said.

And Sandys Secondary Middle School will get a $1 million grant to complete its Community Centre ? including a gym, health club and swimming pool ? which will also benefit feeder schools and the Sandys community, she said.

?It represents not only value for money but also fosters the social contract ? a community partnership that typifies the Social Agenda focus,? she said.

An estimated $850,000 would be spent by Education on Further Education Awards,

Government was committed to raising the standard of public education, she said.

The bulk of the Education Budget ?$115 million ? went on salaries and wages, she said, but special programmes like the Diverse Learners Programme, Summer Programmes, Lion Quest, the Child Development Programme and the Bermuda Sloop Foundation (BSF), were also winners.

BSF were given a grant of $150,00 for when their teaching vessel arrives this summer.

Improving the measurement of student achievement got a $1.7 million cash-injection, she said, and a National Work Force Development Programme would play a critically important role in maximising Bermuda?s potential.

?Our young people come to us wanting to change the world,? Minister Cox said. ?It is our job and responsibility to provide them with the necessary tools so that they can make a difference and so that they have the necessary opportunities to be able to excel.?

The Bermuda College had an increased grant provision of $2.1 million, she said, while $1 million was added for increased operational costs in schools.

?In an increasingly knowledge-driven global economy, we wish to ensure that our young people have the opportunity to make the most of their talents and to make a difference in their community,? she said. ?That is our awesome task. That is the overarching framework of National Budget 2006/07.?

Minister Cox looked forward to the business community assisting Bermudians in reaching their career goals.