No extra cash will be given to the Berkeley Institute to ensure support staff remain employed, Government announced today.Public schools across the Island have been asked to do “more with less”, Education permanent secretary Warren Jones said.Mr Jones issued a statement following what he described as “irresponsible and inaccurate comments” made by Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU) vice president Jason Hayward about staffing and budget matters at Berkeley.The permanent secretary did not state what specific comments he was referring to.Mr Hayward told The Royal Gazette last week that he was surprised to learn that eight positions would be axed within a week, at a meeting with the school’s board of governors.The planned cuts come from a pool of 15 custodial, maintenance, secretarial and library staff, he said.Said Mr Jones: “Whilst the nature of discussions between the Berkeley Institute and BPSU regarding the terms of work for support staff are a private matter between the two entities, I must respond to what I feel are irresponsible and inaccurate comments made by the vice president of the BPSU.“It is no secret that the budget of the Ministry of Education was cut some ten percent effective April 1, 2011. This cut has had ramifications across the education system with all schools, including the Berkeley Institute, having to make adjustments to meet the needs of students. In a meeting with the BPSU last week, I informed the members present of the reality of our budget allocation and that our schools are seeking to work within that allocation.“That said, the Country has seen the steps taken thus far to meet that budget allocation. Staff cuts were announced in June across the system. However, we are convinced that we can do more with less, and the reality is that everything remaining as is, is not an option.”Student education remains “of paramount importance” and will not be affected by the cuts, Mr Jones added.“This is not a responsibility that the Ministry takes lightly. We monitor the budgetary situation of all of our maintained schools and have relationships with our aided schools who in turn advise us of their budgetary status. As a part of our responsibility, we must also keep the Cabinet informed of any concerns which arise related to our budget and or educational programmes. I can assure the public that the Ministry is well aware of the budgetary situation and that there will certainly be no school closures as a result of any budgetary shortfall.”