‘More money for education not the only solution’

More money for education is not the only solution to solve the myriad of problems now facing public education in the CNMI, said Gov. Juan N. Babauta during his State of the Commonwealth Address Thursday at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

Babauta said, though, that the lack of money going toward education is “definitely part of the problem.”

He pointed out that hundreds of new students enroll with the Public School System every year but there are no new appropriations from the Legislature. “This means every year per student spending declines.”

He said the CNMI is only spending half of the national average for each student. As a consequence, Babauta said, standardized tests show only one out of five PSS students reading at their grade level.

House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial pointed out, though, that the Legislature has always passed a budget every year, which Babauta himself vetoed.

Another problem Babauta cited is the overcrowding at Kagman schools, relating that when three Kagman schools and Sinapalo Elementary School opened, there was no money to pay for the books and the teachers.

“So I am taking action to improve education,” said Babauta. He said his office has acquired federal funds at his own disposal and he is earmarking those funds for education.

He said this summer $5 million in Compact impact funds would go to the “long-neglected maintenance” of public schools in the CNMI.

The Board of Education met in December last year with the governor and his staff to discuss the longstanding problems of the public schools. The governor promised the board that the $5 million a year in Compact grants would go to education alone, for a total of $20 million in four years. The grants would be used for termite proofing, repairing roofs of the schools, and air-conditioners.

BOE chair Roman C. Benavente said he was pleased at the governor’s declaration of support for PSS.

“[It was] very nice of him. He has promised that in the past to the board…making reassurance to the community and to the people his support to education.”

Benavente said the board does not doubt the governor’s effort and energy toward helping improve education in the CNMI. Personally, he said, he is in full support of the governor’s initiatives, as far as public school education is concerned.

Babauta also said the government’s acquisition of the La Fiesta property and the subsequent plan to transform a portion of it to a school facility should relieve overcrowding at Kagman schools, “where they have classrooms in closets.”

He said he is grateful that PSS is now looking favorably at turning part of the La Fiesta mall into a new school to accommodate students from Marpi, Tanapag, and San Roque.

The governor also said he has used federal grants to fund other initiatives, namely the reimbursement of $250 of the teachers’ out-of-pocket expenses, opening a health clinic for teenagers at Marianas High School, providing mini-grants to teachers for innovative programs in their classrooms, and equipping an entire class at Saipan Southern High School with laptops.

“I want to take that vision one step farther: I want to provide computers not just to one class in one school, but to one class in all public schools and hook up those students’ homes to Internet service.” Babauta said.

He said, though, that this vision would take more than federal money and his office needs local commitment to education.