Deal with tertiary fee crisis once and for all
Published:Sunday | April 29, 2018 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
The perennial problem of fees for tertiary education has again surfaced. Law students at the UWI have been told that they cannot sit exams if they are not current with their payments.
Many of our problems have been with us for decades. We know that most of them won't just go away. But we do nothing to deal with the problem beyond talking.
The truth is that - Student Loans' Bureau, notwithstanding - the overwhelming majority of our tertiary students are on their own. Not just those who grew up in abject poverty, but some whose parents are employed. The demands of two, three or even four other siblings, sometimes grandparents to care for. They just do not have it! We are not saving and disposable income is limited.
Some of us are waiting for divine intervention or, maybe, the discovery of oil to solve our problems. These persons must be reminded that one of our neighbours, Venezuela, has proven oil reserves recognised as the largest in the world. Oil products accounted for 95 per cent of exports. But that country is now in virtual isolation.
The economy shrank 13.2% last year and 16.5% the year before. Growth last year was recorded at -13.20%. That country - despite sitting on this wealth - is in serious trouble.
Our only salvation is to focus on our primary resource: our people. We need to provide every single citizen with a well-rounded, relevant education.
There are smaller, poorer neighbours that guarantee students free tertiary education. We have not managed our affairs in a way that permits us to do likewise.
One possible advantage of NIDS is that it would put the Government in a position to send students to exams and collect with the appropriate interest, when they start working.
We have to start a discussion to determine how we will deal with this problem once and for all.
GLENN TUCKER