Tertiary education challenge - plea for assistance
Published:Monday | December 30, 2019 | 12:05 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
As the new semester slowly trickles in, the ‘tuition burden’ faced by many of our students at college and university cannot be overlooked. There is no doubt that tertiary education is not cheap! Across the world, higher education is facing unprecedented challenges in the definition of its purpose, role, organisation and scope in the society and the economy. More than ever, there is the need for a ‘knowledgeable economy’, with tertiary education being the driver of this goal.
A degree represents a beacon of hope for many. In fact, it is a vehicle through which one escapes the effects of poverty and hardship, and strives for upward mobility. A degree is such an asset in an economy such as Jamaica. Without the requisite qualification, one’s ability to gain a fulfilling career is stifled.
Contrary to this, the struggle to pursue tertiary education in Jamaica is a cause for concern. As a college student, I speak on behalf of the poor student struggling to find a night’s dinner; I speak on behalf of the poor student struggling to clear tuition-related expenses; I speak on behalf of the underprivileged, struggling to make ends meet; I speak on behalf of the poor student who struggles to find his taxi fare; and most important, I speak in the capacity of a youth leader and an advocate for change.
Demand for tertiary funding
Statistics indicate that the demand for funding tertiary education is rising in Jamaica. That means that more persons are pursuing tertiary education in the country. But, let’s not overlook their day-to-day struggles. Being at college is not easy, and many are there because of strong faith in our Creator. The yearly dropout rate is high as the cost for education increases. It is not surprising, too, that at the end of each semester, before exams begin, hundreds of students are barred from sitting exams because of the failure to meet financial obligations. While successive governments have made significant investments in funding tertiary education, there still needs to be a more effective and workable programme; one this is inclusive of all.
It’s high time to close the gap between the haves and the have-nots. Let us recognise the cry of our college students. It is not pretty in there.
Dylan Ashman
Church Teachers’ College