State Minister for Education and Youth, Noel Monteith has dismissed Opposition claims that students were being barred from high schools because they cannot afford the fees.

He was responding to a statement last week from Opposition Senator Chris Tufton who said that students were being locked out of schools for non-payment of fees.

However, Senator Monteith said he had not been informed that any student was turned away from a secondary institution because of financial constraints.

Meanwhile, during his presentation to the State of the Nation Debate in the Senate on Friday, Mr. Monteith conceded that the People's National Party (PNP) had to review its proposed plan on eliminating cost-sharing beginning in 2005.

He told his colleagues that it was no secret that the PNP had announced a review of its policy.

The state minister said the Association of Principals had lobbied the Government to retain cost-sharing, a position that was supported by the Task Force on Education established by the Government. Mr. Monteith said the Government was unable to fund free education at the secondary level at this time.

Committed to pay all fees

However, he pointed out that Government had committed to pay all fees for students on the Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH). At present, 46,000 students are in the programme.

He said the Government has also kept its pledge to provide assistance to students taking CXC, CAPE, A'Levels and CSEC. According to Senator Monteith $240 million will be spent for these subjects in 2006/2007.