Education Minister Elvin James yesterday denied cutting the budget for a summer school at Victor Scott Primary School.

Speaking during the Motion to Adjourn in the House of Assembly, he added that no funding had been granted because none had been requested.

However, he said after the story came to his attention, the Ministry set out to find funding for the programme.

"We had summer schools at several schools, but not at Victor Scott," he said. "Neither had we heard any request.

"At no time did we scrap a programme. We ran the same programmes as last year.

"As this has come to our attention, we are now looking to see if it's something to go forward on."

He said that many of the people speaking out on the issue were ill-informed, and suggested that they contact him before going to the media.

"It amazes me that we hear these people speak loudly and wrongly and saying they're doing it for the children. Not at all.

"It makes me believe that people are looking for anything to make a noise about.

"I ask the people, if they have any problems, please come to me."

Earlier this week, teachers at Victor Scott appealed for funds for the summer programme designed to help 45 students with learning disabilities prepare for the next school year.

More than a dozen people and businesses have stepped forward, offering to donate money to help finance the $60,000 programme, which is due to start on Monday.

Mr. James stressed the welfare of the children was the top priority of the Ministry, and he applauded those who had stepped forward to volunteer their time and money for the school.

Mr. James spoke after an impassioned speech by Opposition MP Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, where she praised the work of the teachers at Victor Scott.

"These teachers, as caring and loving as they are, were not prepared to let a programme go without funding," she said.

"They decided that they would go out and raise the money for the programme themselves."

She said that as part of the group Rise Above, she had been visiting the school each month to listen to what the children had to say.

Opposition MP John Barritt said when he heard the story, he went straight to the Ministry.

"I understood there was a programme they were going to have, and they found out there was no funding for it.

"So I went to the Minister and he arranged a meeting with someone from the Ministry.

"He said there were a number of changes, and they were related to funding."

Mr. Barritt said that he hoped the issue had brought to light the importance of school funding.

"I think, what people are trying to say here, is that whatever you do, whatever you cut, let's not do it in a place like this.

"If there is a programme Government should support, this is where they can find it."

He applauded the efforts of the teachers who worked to raise funds for the programme, saying: "We need more of that in our community."