CI$97,000 in project-based grants awarded to schools

(CMR) The Ministry of Education awarded approximately ninety-seven thousand dollars (CI $97,000.00) in grants to four government schools during the 2021/2022 academic year through its Project-based Grant Programme.

“The Ministry of Education introduced its Project-based Grant Programme during the previous academic year to enable schools to implement projects that enhance their usual offerings and positively impact students,” remarked Honourable Juliana O'Connor-Connolly, Minister with responsibility for Education.

All Government schools were eligible to apply for funding with schools allowed to submit applications for multiple projects. Nine schools applied with a total of 17 projects.

A committee comprised of senior representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Department of Education Services and members from the Education Council reviewed project applications.

MoE Acting Chief Officer Ms. Lyneth Monteith chaired the six-member committee.

Ms. Monteith commented, “Having reviewed the project applications, we decided to award funding towards the most detailed project proposals and those not already covered in the Capital budget.”

Layman Scott Snr High School was one of four schools awarded funding for the implementation of one of their projects.

The approved project involved the purchase of equipment for establishing a media club. Principal Mr. Devon Bowen said, “This project has heightened students' interest in willingly participating and supporting the digital media needs of the school.”

Mr. Bowen also noted that the project enabled the capture and live-streaming of two key annual events, the Graduation Ceremony and the internal Awards Ceremony.

The Red Bay Primary School (RBPS) received funding for the first phase of a project to improve its Reception Outdoor area. Activities in this phase included the installation of artificial turf and the construction of wooden planter boxes.

Red Bay Primary has since applied for and obtained funding for the project's second phase.

For the Acting Principal of the Edna Moyle Primary School, Ms. Dairdie Tingle, the revitalization of the school's Reception play area was a worthwhile project.

“The renovation of our play area has provided our students with a conducive environment that stimulates growth in all areas: socially, mentally and physically. The resources have provided our students with lots of opportunities to demonstrate learning in the different aspects of the early year's framework. They have made good progress compared to their starting points in August. There is evidence that they are socializing during play,” Ms. Tingle remarked.

The project at the EMPS also included purchasing resources towards the school's ‘Nurture Hut'.

The Ministry of Education also granted the Clifton Hunter High School funding towards constructing three mobile science laboratories.

Schools approved for a project-based grant must provide the MoE with a Completion Report within three weeks from when the approved project is scheduled for completion.

Project-based grant funding applications for the 2022/2023 academic year opened in September. Six schools applied with a total of 14 projects. Of those, four have been awarded funding for eight projects.   To view the MoE’s Project-based Grant Funding Policy, visit the Cayman Islands Government website at https://www.gov.ky/publication-detail/project-based-grant-for-government-schools.