11/2/2007 12:54:00 PM Government to provide free college education, home loans Throne Speech: Public housing rent to be set at no more than 25% of income
FRIDAY, NOV. 2: Free college education, new housing for families in need and new laws to protect seniors are among Government's legislative priorities for the coming year.
There will also be a new law to enhance treatment for the mentally ill and mandatory drug programmes for addicts in jail.
All these measures received high billing in the Throne Speech today.
The contents are broad-based and in line with the Government's stated vision, which is to create a "more prosperous Bermuda, one that includes all of the people of Bermuda and touches every aspect of their lives."
In housing, there will be a new push to encourage home ownership, with the Government providing "interest-free down payment loans for 500 qualified Bermudian families who have the ability to sustain a reasonable mortgage."
Renters living in Government homes will also have their rent set at no more than 25 per cent of their income, freeing up 10 per cent of their income to be saved towards future homeownership.
Three purpose-built facilities will be constructed at Southside for families who have been in emergency housing for long periods of time.
Education is being tackled based with the recent Education Review. The Throne Speech adds: "The Government will examine the existing curriculum and implement a school-based management and accountability programme comprising a comprehensive assessment and accountability system to include rigorous academic performance standards for students and annual performance standards for each school to measure student academic growth."
The Bermuda College Act will be amended to "change the admissions procedures to afford all Bermudians enrolled in an accredited programme an opportunity to study and acquire academic qualifications free of charge."
Government scholarships will also be increased to cover a "more meaningful portion of tuition costs and living expenses." The Mature Student Award will also be increased as will the number of Government Bursary Awards.
Vocational training will include introducing Certification and Apprenticeship Regulations and establishing an "international maritime training platform" which will "place the crews of all public transportation and commercial maritime vessels at an internationally recognized level."
In the business world, the Government will establish 'Sector Councils - "employer led, independent groups that identify the skill development needs of industry."
The speech, read by the Acting Governor Mark Capes, said: "The People of Bermuda will be prepared to assume their rightful place and derive the benefits of a healthy economy. Knowledge is power. It is the key to the success of our citizenry."
Other highlights include setting up a National Disability Advisory Council, and reforming Human Rights law to "bring it fully in line with the international humans rights obligations." It does not specify whether this will cover sexual orientation, which most MPs were against the last time it was brought to the House of Assembly.
Protecting the environment is another major concern, with Government promising to establish a Bottle Bill, which will give people money back on bottles they deposit in special locations, and reviewing planning laws in line with the sustainable development strategy.
In finance, the Government will amend a number of laws to combat money-laundering and terrorist financing. Business laws will also be updated, including The Insurance Act 1978 and The Investment Funds Act 2006.
New business ventures will be sought by establishing Bermuda as a "jurisdiction of choice for the satellite industry", and developing policies to manage permits for 'bioprospecting' - the exploration of local plant genetic materials for commercial application.
Today's speech took place indoors in the Senate Chamber because of bad weather, which detracted from the usual pomp and circumstance.
More than 100 people, including the parliamentarians and members of the legislature squeezed into the small chamber to hear Mr. Capes, dressed in a plain grey suit as opposed to the usual ostrich feathered hat and white uniform, read the speech.
Reader Comments
Posted: Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Comment by:
Ace-girl
The fact that the leaders of this island actually think the people will be fooled by this pre-election bribe demonstrates the abysmal quality of education they have.....
Posted: Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Comment by:
Doh!
Every Bermudian is now entitled to a free college education in the UK.......provided that Bermuda maintains its current ties to the UK!
Posted: Monday, November 05, 2007
Comment by:
black boy
I give up.
You guys are just agains the PLP you are not for Bermuda...just against the PLP...there should be some postive feedback even if it is because of the attempt to provide a repair for education, an attempt to help the low income housing problem, an attempt to redress the problem of social stagnation through empowerment...yet you just call it electioneering...and the problem of why it took so long is not relevant the fact is that we are moving forward...brian...intrest free loans are important to the rest of us who did not marry foreingers...so lets get the priority correct sir...This was an excellent offer for a healing of our society...let it go...we are moving forward.
Posted: Monday, November 05, 2007
Comment by:
Sick and Tired!
Free College? Sign me up I'm going back to school baby!
Posted: Monday, November 05, 2007
Comment by:
Brian
Interest free loans mean nothing to those of us married to non Bermudians. We have known that the education was broken 9 years ago, correction, probably about 13 years ago when the UBP was in power, so why has it taken so long to do something about it?
Posted: Sunday, November 04, 2007
Comment by:
Karen
What a bunch of RUBBISH any thing to get a VOTE from the PLP ALL these things they should of done already because we ALL know that this is BULL and the PLP know this as well its a smoke screen for VOTES well alot of us see straight through the PLP now.
Posted: Saturday, November 03, 2007
Comment by:
awesome
Sign me up for one of those interest free loans!
Posted: Friday, November 02, 2007
Comment by:
John Scales
Still no statement on reforming all our antiquated laws!!!
