The Government of T&T has a “grave concern” about the proposed Penal/Debe campus of the University of the West Indies, Education Minister Anthony Garcia has said.
Garcia made the statement during the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association’s (T&TUTA) 37th anniversary celebrations held at Centre Point Mall’s Auditorium in Chaguanas last night.
Garcia said the campus is providing “serious challenges” in terms of how to maximise its use.
“It was first flagged as an extension to the Law Faculty of St Augustine. Now we are hearing of a variety of courses that would be offered. I can say at this moment that that does not meet the satisfaction of this Government,” Garcia said.
Garcia said while in Jamaica recently he spoke to UWI’s Vice Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles about the situation.
“I explained to him the position of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago with respect to that proposed Penal/Debe campus,” he said.
Garcia said the country will hear more about the issues in the future.
“It is something that we must think about because as a country we have invested in excess of $500 million to construct that facility. We have to make sure that it is put to the best use, that it will facilitate all members of our population,” he said.