Previous Story
Education Month marked amid challenges
|
Posted on Nov 07 2006
Yesterday’s proclamation of November as Education Month was bittersweet for acting Gov. Timothy Villagomez, who rued the administration’s failure to provide more money for the islands’ education system.
During the proclamation signing on Capital Hill, Villagomez told officials of the cash-strapped Public School System that, due to current economic conditions, “I regret that at this time we are unable to provide more than $38 million to PSS.”
He said the local government could hopefully provide more funds for PSS in the form of future Compact Impact funds from the federal government.
He also commended PSS for the increasing the SAT scores of students on the islands. “I thank PSS for proving that, despite the sacrifices we are all making, success is still possible,” he said.
Villagomez said that local students have already caught up with the national average in Science and Math.
He also commended the Northern Marianas College for “the excellent training they provide for future educators in the CNMI.”
CNMI State Board of Education officials, led by chair Roman C. Benavente, witnessed the brief proclamation signing. BOE vice-chair Dino Jones, and secretary-treasurer Marja Lee Taitano also attended the event.
Acting Education Commissioner Charlie Kenty and a number of 2005 Teachers and Teacher-Aides of the Year also trooped to the Governor’s Office conference room.
In line with the celebration of Education Month, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota will be holding the annual Education Day this month. Rota will hold it on Nov. 17, while Saipan and Tinian will hold it on Nov. 22, a day before Thanksgiving. A presentation dinner will also be held on Saipan on the night before Education Day to honor and recognize all winners for the Teacher and Teacher-Aides of the Year of each school.
