Speaker of the House, His Honour Arthur Holder (centre), making his way into Parliament yesterday.
Independent Senator Monique Taitt (left) prior to entering Parliament.
WHEN Barbadian students enter the University of the West Indies (UWI) in the new academic year, they will once again do so free of cost.
Word of this came yesterday morning as Governor General, Dame Sandra Mason, delivered the Throne Speech during the State Opening of Parliament. The announcement from Dame Sandra, that Government will again pay the tuition fees for Barbadians to
attend the regional educational institution, appeared to draw cheers from some persons congregated on the outside, who were watching on the screens which were erected in the Parliament yard.
It was in the August 2013 Budget delivered by then Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Christopher Sinckler, that it was announced that Barbadian students would have been required to pay tuition fees from academic year 2014/2015, to assist Government in meeting the burgeoning costs of university education. That measure, which was expected to reduce the transfer to UWI by an estimated $42 million, was opposed by the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) from the outset, and they had pledged, if returned to power, to once more cover those costs for students.
In announcing the Government’s intention to pay the tuition fees for Barbadians, Dame Sandra said Government’s goal is to safeguard our future generations and empower them to have the best quality of life our country can give them. Her comments came as she also spoke to plans to create for young Barbadians, a National First Job Programme, catering to persons between the ages of 16 and 25. Through that programme, she indicated, they will have access to Government-subsidised placement at businesses in their specific field of interest. Additionally, the Governor General told the packed Senate Chamber and those within earshot, that Government also intends to develop a National Apprenticeship Programme and to introduce a National Mentorship Programme, through which young people can get guidance from adults and professionals.
The Governor General also spoke to plans to tackle violence in schools. She indicated that an emergency session of professionals dealing with the welfare of children will be convened to approve an “immediate plan of action” to put an end to the current epidemic of violence and bullying in schools. This, she said, would include increasing the number of Guidance Counsellors and Social Workers, and introducing anger management and conflict resolution classes in schools by September 2018. She added that the support of civil society and faith-based organisations will be sought in respect of those school initiatives.
“The Government will also ensure a reliable and timely school bus service and, from September 2018, it will deploy Safety Officers, where necessary, on buses and at places where students and young people congregate in large numbers,” the Governor General added.
The Governor General additionally revealed plans to create a Barbados Sovereign Wealth Fund (BSWF) aimed at making national wealth available for present and future generations of Barbadians. She said the BSWF will hold Government assets including real property; and non-tangible assets including trademarks, patents and intellectual property.
“The Fund will ensure appropriate, professional long-term management, development and returns from these assets. A percentage of the revenues of petroleum products will flow to the Fund, to ensure oil and gas earnings are not squandered, but become a source of funding for Barbados’ long-term development. After its establishment, every Barbadian, upon turning 18, will become entitled to a stake in the Fund. Over time, this stake will produce an income or could be used as collateral for loans for housing, education and other specified purposes,” she added. (JRT)