Crawford files constitutional challenge against Gov’t over pre-primary tuition

Opposition Spokesperson on Education, Damion Crawford, has filed a constitutional challenge against the Government over what he claims is a failure to provide publicly funded tuition to all students at the pre-primary level.

Mr. Crawford made the disclosure today, while making his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representative.

According to Crawford, the charter of fundamental rights and freedoms guarantees every child the right to publicly funded tuition at the pre-primary and primary levels, noting this is not aspirational, it is binding.

He claims that since April 8, 2011, the number of public educational institutions at the pre-primary level has not increased to meet demand.

Mr. Crawford said a right that exists in law, but not in practice is a right denied.

He said the constitutional challenge was filed on April 7 and served on the Attorney General, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Education.