Cutback in university funds regrettable
published: Monday | November 3, 2003

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I AM very concerned about the projected cutbacks in the government's aid to students attending the University of the West Indies and the University of Technology as suggested in the article published on October 20, 2003, entitled 'Ministry slashes University funds'. As it is already known, the cost that the students themselves pay to attend either of these two institutions of higher learning are almost unaffordable to the majority of the population.

The Students' Loan Bureau is not equipped to help as many students that need the help at present. A further increase in tuition fees as a result of budget cutbacks may just tip the already shaky boat over. Scholarships are not readily available to prospective university students. In fact, one has to look very hard to find scholarships that are helpful. I am puzzled as to the fact that the article suggests that other means (other than the SLB) will have to be implemented to help the less fortunate students pay their tuition and expenses... I believe that if there was any money to help put these things into place, then they would have already been in place.

A cutback in the government's allotment to these universities and an increase in tuition and fees to be paid by students may not be the solution given the precarious position of our economy.

I am, etc.,

ANYA ELLIOTT-

ROCHESTER

aaelliottrochest@aol.com

Connecticut, USA

Via Go-Jamaica