Lead Stories

Philip Hamilton, Gleaner Writer

Nine hundred and eighty students of Hutton's Education Unit who were at risk of not participating in the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) tests in May and June have been given the go-ahead to sit the tests.

The students had been in danger of being barred from doing the exams because of Hutton's' non-payment of fees.

Hutton's, which has been under scrutiny over the past few weeks, yesterday signed an agreement with the Overseas Examination Commission (OEC) promising to pay $4.3 million in CXC exam-fee penalties it owes to that body.

Hutton's director Neville Hutton who made the announcement during a media briefing yesterday, said lawyers representing his institute and the commission signed the agreement earlier in the day, giving the green light for students to sit their examinations.

The agreement states that Hutton will be held responsible for $4 million owed in exam-fee penalties to the OEC.

Hutton declined to provide details as to when the outstanding penalties would be paid, saying his institute had made an arrangement in writing with the commission.

Apologising for the late submission of the CXC exam entries, Hutton attributed the problem to late registration by some students in addition to the embezzlement of funds at his office.

No specifics on theft

He did not disclose specifics concerning the theft, noting that the incident was under investigation by the police.

"Our problem was the late payment, and we were begging for a waiver. We have not done anything wrong," an obviously relieved Hutton said.

Asked whether he expected a backlash from persons doing future registrations at his institution, Hutton said he did not believe so.

"People believe in us and they know we do a good job, so they will still send their wards to us," he said.

Hutton said several students had been traumatised by the recent reports and noted it was the first time in its 15 years that his institute had encountered such a problem.

He said Hutton's would continue to live up to maintaining its high standards and examination success rate for which it is renowned.

philip.hamilton@gleanerjm.com