Students seek clarity on GATE matter

An article published in the Sunday Guardian on September 9, on the issue of the discontinuance of GATE to delinquent students stated the following: “Sunday Guardian was informed that effective January 2013, GATE funding will discontinue for programmes at approved regional tertiary education institutions, except for those that are not available at approved local institutions in T&T, and also for pre-medical programmes at St George’s University, effective January 2013.

This was based on the recommendations coming out of a August 27, 2012 final Report of the Standing Committee of the GATE Programme.” As a national of Trinidad and Tobago and a BA in Journalism student at UWI Mona Jamaica, and with the national budget to be presented this week, I am asking if a detailed follow up story can be done on this issue as it was simply one paragraph within a story that focused on other issues with GATE. I have heard no follow up to date.

On average there are 800 nationals of Trinidad and Tobago at UWI Mona, enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate programmes. Many of my colleagues and myself are deeply concerned about this matter and would like to have some clarity on the issue such as:
1. Would this affect currently enrolled students or those in the upcoming academic year?
2. When speaking of programmes offered in Trinidad and Tobago, does this only refer to programmes offered by UWI, or includes other institutions such as UTT, COSTAATT etc?
3. If if refers to the UWI, what does the government have in place for the UWI St Augustine to have a greater influx of students that will now have to be registered at their campus?
4. If it refers to other institutions, then is it fair that we are being told which tertiary level institutions we should attend?
5. How would this affect graduate students?

The Trinidad Guardian was first to give insight which led to a current controversial national issue: Section 34. Therefore I have the confidence that you will seek out this matter.Looking forward to a detailed report on this in the Sunday Guardian in the very near future.

Kearn Williams,
Via e-mail