13 Sep 2010

CNMI emergency school funding to cover 2.5 pay periods

7:50 pm on 13 September 2010

The US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has signed off eight million US dollars in emergency jobs funding for the Northern Marianas' Public School System.

The Marianas Variety reports the funding, part of an emergency package passed by Congress in August, will be used to cover the upcoming two and a half pay periods.

The CNMI Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan says Congress approved the funding because school systems across the country are facing the same budget shortfalls as faced in the CNMI.

Mr Sablan says the money will keep teachers employed and will help ensure children's education and long-term prospects are not shortchanged because of short-term, budget problems.