Commissioner of Education Rita A. Sablan said in a recent meeting with acting Gov. Eloy A. Inos, PSS was assured that it will remain in full operation and all its staff will be paid accordingly.
“We are very pleased that the executive branch considers PSS a critical service to the CNMI,” Sablan told Variety in an interview.
PSS submitted a $36 million budget plan.
“It is imperative that PSS is given its share of the budget. If the schools shut down who knows how much juvenile delinquency will rise. Not only that, how will our children receive the education they need?” said Inos. “PSS is one of our highest priorities,” he added.
“The times are really bad,” said parent Jayanne Tomakane who has two sons enrolled in Chacha Oceanview Junior High School.
“I breathe a sigh of relief to know that the schools will be safe from the turmoil. If not, my husband and I will suffer because he is the only one who is working for our food,” Tomakane added.
Her husband works for the government and they are already suffering from the current budget cuts.
Tomakane said her husband vows to work hard as long as their sons continue with their education while she continues to look for a job.
Parents from Koblerville who requested anonymity said the livelihood of families is in jeopardy.
A Koblerville parent said she and her husband work at stores — she is a cashier while her common-law husband is in maintenance. “We are barely getting by,” she said.
“This is my husband’s last week for work because he will be laid off and I have three children at Koblerville Elementary School. Our options for other jobs are limited because we are not U.S. citizens,” she added.
Her children are 7, 9 and 10 years old.
Parents said they are glad that PSS will continue to provide education to their children, but the declining economy and job cuts are hurting people.
More children will have to apply for the free-lunch programs as their parents find extra work.
