THE EDITOR, Sir:
FINANCING A higher education today is an increasing challenge for students and their families. At the same time there is no better investment. Over a lifetime college graduates earn on average two times the income of individuals without college degrees.
I am a former economics and management major at the UWI; a distinction I proudly hold. I feel very proud to have been a part of the UWI family. I was, however, struck with horror to hear about the treatment of my fellow comrades who are still embarked on their academic pursuits at the university.
In recent years tuition fees, cost of books and boarding have dramatically increased at the UWI, therefore it is understandable that many students would be having difficulty covering these costs since many are also from very poor homes. It is thus very sad that the university administration should suddenly change its policies and bar students from their right of obtaining a higher degree because they fall short on their tuition payments (even a thousand dollars).
It is not right that our students should be treated this way, that their lives and livelihood should be permanently impaired, their crime being the ambition and zeal of obtaining higher education. Many of these students have already made tremendous sacrifices to get where they are in their programmes, sacrificing food and other essentials in order to pay the high cost of studying at the university and to obtain their degree.
I call upon our Honourable Minister, Maxine Henry-Wilson, who has already made tremendous strides for education in this country, to do her best to ensure that no student is left behind or drops out of the UWI because of inability to pay all their fees on time. Our nation's brightest, our future leaders are in deep trouble, as a society we have to encourage them to shoot for the stars and now that they've fallen short, they need more than a bill collector on their doorstep.
All students deserve the opportunity to pursue a higher education. Let's make sure we help them make those dreams a realty.
I am, etc.,
SEAN THOMAS
laquane30d@yahoo.com
Jackson, New Jersey
