University of the West Indies’ St Augustine Campus Student Guild president, Makesi Peters, said yesterday the guild was happy there were no adverse changes to the Gate programme for the new academic year.
However, he said it was somewhat discriminatory that funding for new students over the age of 50 was terminated.
“In term of the means testing, we are happy that it was deferred to the following year. However, we feel as though there needs to be more consultation in that area,” he told the T&T Guardian in a telephone interview after Education Minister Anthony Garcia announced the new measures.
“We want to ensure that it does not become political and that everyone gets funding who is most likely to be vulnerable. I think that is where the focus should be,” he added.
Peters said they believe that the $10,000 and over income bracket, recommended for those to pay 25 per cent of their tuition fees, should be raised to $15,000. He said it would be “very difficult” for a single parent or even a family who has three children attending university to pay the 25 per cent for each child.
Peters said cutting the funding for students at the St George’s University in Grenada was “a good move.”
With a student population of 18,000, guild officials are set to meet today to discuss the matter before releasing a formal statement on the changes.