The new PLP government yesterday put its money where its mouth has always been when it comes to education.

In his first Budget speech, Finance Minister Eugene Cox announced that education will receive the largest departmental allocation of new funding -- some $5.65 million.

"...the capital expenditure proposals for the coming year 1999-2000 will reflect Government's commitment to support education,'' Mr. Cox said.

Of the $560.1 million Government expects to spend during the fiscal year, $85.1 million or 15.2 percent will go to education.

And primary, middle, and senior secondary schools will receive the biggest slice of the education pie -- $68.6 million, to cover a range of expenses including renovations, extra staff salaries, new textbooks, and general operating expenses.

Of the $5.65 million in new funding, Mr. Cox explained that $2.62 million will go toward teachers' salaries.

"...specifically $576,000 of this is in support of the Throne Speech pledge to place more teachers in pre-schools while $450,000 is additionally allocated to support the extra staff required by the reduction of class sizes in Primary 1,'' he said.

Government has reduced the class size at the primary school entry level to no more than 15 students per class. The average student-teacher ratio under the former UBP government was 25 to one at that level.

Berkeley Institute received a $1 million grant to help with its expenses as it takes in more students to avoid further overcrowding at CedarBridge Academy.

And the new Government was also generous with CedarBridge, setting aside $600,000 as an operating grant for the school's board and a further $350,000 for textbooks.

Some $200,000 was also allotted to the Education Department for new textbooks and Whitney Institute received a grant increase of $180,000.

Premier and Education Minister Jennifer Smith declined to comment specifically on the education budget, saying she did not want to preempt her comments to be made during the Budget Debate next month.

"As everybody knows we inherited a budget and we have done our best to put our stamp on it and see that those things put in the Throne Speech are implemented,'' was Ms Smith's only comment.

But Shadow Education Minister Tim Smith said the PLP budget was not very different from what he expected.

"Like the UBP government, the new government has committed a sizable amount of funding to education,'' Mr. Smith said.

"What initially comes to mind is `same old, same old'.

"The amount of money committed to Berkeley is in synch in terms of what we expected.'' However, Mr. Smith admitted that he was slightly disappointed with the budget.

"I expected some really strong, powerful initiatives to produce what parents wanted -- better instruction, a better curriculum; and more accountability in the (public school) system,'' he said.

"Again, I have to look at it (the budget) in detail. But when you look at the Ministry and staffing, I can't see anything there.'' But Bermuda Union of Teachers president Michael Charles called the budget "reasonable''.

After just a cursory look at the parts of the budget pertaining to education, Mr. Charles said: "On the surface it seems reasonable. We appreciate any amount of funds spent on improving education. But the first thing that sticks out to me is the qualified teachers in pre-schools and the reduction of class sizes which we have been after all along.

"We are happy to see that. It is something that they announced in the Throne Speech and it is good to see it in the budget.'' However, Mr. Charles said the BUT were concerned that there was no mention about the training of paraprofessionals (teacher assistants) in pre-schools.

He recalled that an arbitration award received by the union late last year made it clear that paraprofessionals in pre-schools should receive proper training.

"We don't see any mention of that in the Budget Statement,'' Mr. Charles said.

"The spirit in which the arbitrators gave their award indicated that paraprofessionals would expect the Education Ministry to help them upgrade themselves.'' Despite sending letters to Education Permanent Secretary Marion Robinson about the issue, Mr. Charles said the union has not yet received a response.

Dr. Robinson was off the Island yesterday, attending the American Association of School Administrators conference in New Orleans with new chairman of the Board of Education Elvin James.

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY HOA