By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

IN these times of financial constraint, Education Commissioner David M. Borja says the Public School System’s 500 teachers have to be more creative in implementing change for student learning.
During the professional development day session in Kagman on Friday, Borja emphasized “creativity” as the theme of his presentation.
“The commissioner is appealing to both teachers and support staff to be more creative in terms of lesson planning and saving money for the school,” said PSS assistant human resource officer and acting professional development coordinator Ramon Diaz.
Although Borja did not specifically encourage teachers to conduct fundraisers, he emphasized the need to reduce utility consumption on all campuses, Diaz said.
Because of lack of funds to buy all needed instructional books and materials, Borja urged the teachers to “be creative in using the Internet to gain access to information that will support lesson plans.”
PSS, since 1999, has received a $37.2 million yearly budget. This was raised this fiscal year to $38.6 million, but PSS now has to pay for its own utilities, which amount to $4 million annualy.
The administration will implement a 15.6 percent across-the-board budget reduction, but promised PSS that it will restore its cut.
BOE Chairman Roman C. Benavente said restoring the anticipated budget cut will take time.
To give teachers and support staff a clear view of the CNMI government budget, Vice Speaker Justo S. Quitugua, D-Saipan, was asked to do a presentation.
“We were enlightened by the lawmaker’s presentation which emphasized that there’s still money that we can tap for our schools and other projects,” Diaz said. “He made a good presentation about the government’s unused funding since 1993. He wants these funds revived as many schools will benefit from these long delayed projects.”