Quest for more money
The Issue: The quest for more of the taxpayers’ money for education, health, public safety, among others.
Our View: Must support, via performance report card, why more money is being sought.
Recently, we’ve heard arguments for more money for the Public School System, the purported goal being to improve the quality of instructions, Marianas-wide.
The intent seems plausible but, PSS must not be absolved from presenting, in budget hearings, its performance report card on how well it has fared in upgrading quality of instructions.
The SAT9 test is the single vehicle available today upon which PSS could determine whether it has improved or lagged in the provision of quality of instructions versus test results of students attending privately run schools.
The apparent move for more money, under newly approved legislation to earmark more public funds to PSS may be well and good. It seems, however, a savior-like approach that more nickels and dimes would improve SAT9 test scores. It is a fallacy that requires more than asking for more money.
The Public School System should critically review SAT9 test scores to determine if the results have in fact improved significantly. If test scores have spiraled upwards, then it goes to illustrate that PSS has done its job as expected. If not, then it is time to return to basics, including critically reviewing how additional funds are spent and if in fact they are spent on pupils.
We’re not convinced that money is the sole arbiter to improving quality of instructions or academic excellence. And PSS must not refrain from showing SAT9 test results so that parents can have a glimpse of how well the system has improved or failed on this matter.
We have nothing short of admiration for the ultra-sense of dedication from teachers throughout the Public School System who have given it their all to teach our children. If only parents can pitch-in by disciplining their children, perhaps our teachers could focus more of their energies on quality instructions without disruptions.
The SAT9 test may not be an all conclusive method to determining quality of instructions but, it remains the only vehicle where we can see how far have our tax money gone to preparing pupils with lifetime skills.
A lot remains to be done though more money for the sake of more of it must not be used as the sole prescription to upgrading quality of instructions. We must insist on performance report cards as the debate continues on more money for PSS. After all, the educational estate is the most important institution in preparing our people for new challenges in the 21st Century. Si Yuus Maase`!
