The Young Democrats have endorsed Government’s decision on Barbadian students at the University of the West Indies (UWI) paying tuition fees from September 2014.
According to president of the Democratic Labour Party’s youth arm, Curtis Cave, the decision announced by Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler, as he delivered last week’s Budget, would encourage students to value their education even more, and parents and students to move towards prioritizing.
Cave was speaking to the media during a Press conference today at DLP headquarters at George Street, Belleville, St Michael, as the Young Democrats launched a scholarship programme.He said the move would save Government’s pocket and push students to finish their degrees on time.
It was time students measured “their needs verses their wants”, Cave said.
“The Government would not allow Barbadians to lose out on securing a university education simply because of their financial status. Provisions will be made to guide and assist those in such need.
“Additionally, prospective students will also be able to access funds through the Student Revolving Loan Fund . . . and further adjustments will be made to accommodate persons in need of assistance,” he said.
Meanwhile, vice-president Harry Husbands said there were Young Democrats pursuing studies at UWI and they, too, would be paying tuition fees like other Barbadians.
“Curtis and I are university students pursuing law degrees. Many of our constituents, in terms of Young Democrats, are also students at UWI . . . I sit on the Guild [of Students] at the University of the West Indies but I am not in a position to make that call on behalf of the guild,” said Husbands.
The scholarships seek to assist five students entering secondary school, the Barbados Community College, Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic, UWI or the Barbados Vocational Training Board.The deadline for applications is Friday, August 30. Selection will be made through an evaluation process by a scholarship committee based on needs and qualifications and successful recipients will receive grants of $250, accessible from accounts at the City of Bridgetown Cooperative Credit Union.
Husbands said that Infra Inc. had partnered with the Young Democrats to sponsor the polytechnic grant, while Jada Construction Ltd chose to sponsor the Vocational Training Board grant. (AH)
