Education could be the big winner in tomorrow’s Budget as Government sets out to tackle disappointing graduation rates.

Education Minister Randy Horton has promised a thorough review to be completed by September after less than half of final year students graduated last summer. And Premier Ewart Brown has voiced strong concerns over trends and performances in education which he said must change.

November’s Throne Speech, which set out the legislative agenda for the coming year, mentioned a renewed focus on the basics of reading, writing, maths and critical thinking.

And it promised a boost for technical education at the senior school level.

Bermuda Union of Teachers general secretary Michael Charles said he hoped enough money would be allocated to move education forward when Finance Minister Paula Cox outlines Government’s spending plans tomorrow.

But he cautioned there was waste and inefficiency in the system as programmes were embarked upon and then quickly dropped such as the Bermuda Education Strategic Team (BEST) initiative which was taken up by then Education Minister Paula Cox several years ago to bring but then dropped.

Mr. Charles said: “All I see is the total figure spent on education, I don’t see what is spent where.

“I know there is wastage — money spent on things we really don’t need but I can’t give you specifics.

“Lots of programmes get started and never get finished. We don’t know if they would have worked or not because they are stopped to start something else.”

He said a lot of money had been spent on BEST but it was quietly shelved.

Mr. Charles said teachers’ salaries needed to be raised to keep good teachers in the job and money needed to be spent on staff development to keep them sharp.

However Dr. Brown’s Throne Speech had said discussions with teachers needed to get beyond pay and benefits and focus on motivating young people to reach their full potential.

Bermuda International Business Association CEO Cheryl Packwood said the education system was vital to keep the Island’s booming economy ticking over.

But she stressed it was important not to throw money at the problem but use cash wisely.

“I hope these funds are targeted to get the right results and make the right decisions. We need to do something with the education system.”

Education seen as Budget winner