As part of the Government of Grenada’s efforts to increase access to post-secondary and tertiary level institutions, namely the TA Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) and the New Life Organisation (NEWLO), eligible applicants to these institutions will not have to pay tuition fees for the upcoming Michaelmas term.
The Ministry of Education is currently developing the framework for full implementation of the Free Tuition Programme Policy, which is expected to receive complete Cabinet approval in the coming weeks. The first phase of the free tuition programme will be applicable to secondary school graduates for 2023 and TAMCC students who are presently completing their second year. Please note that this tuition waiver applies to programmes with a maximum duration of 2 years.
The Ministry has already engaged TAMCC and NEWLO to ensure a smooth transition period, as new applicants and returning students prepare for the commencement of the new school term. Data is already being collected for those who meet the criteria for the waiver of tuition fees. The institutions have expressed their commitment to work with the Ministry of Education to inform students of the next steps as it relates to this policy.
The Free Tuition Programme Policy comes amid other key initiatives such as:
- the approval of the UNESCO-funded TVET Policy, which features transformative elements such as:
- the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Expansion Programme in select primary schools [launched on 9 May 2023]
- the re-introduction of the sixth form and centres of excellence in select schools/institutions
- legislation to mandate the extension of the school age to 18
- the reintroduction of universal education
- the introduction of Grenadian History in the upper primary and lower secondary levels
The Ministry of Education continues its policy revisions and development, along with strategies to further the sustainability of the education sector in Grenada, making it more aligned to workforce needs and national development.
GIS
Let us applaud the efforts of the government to provide tuition free education. There is no one size fit all solution and all new initiatives have to be implemented in phases therefore it may not be a perfect plan at first but it most be revised over time to benefit most. The size of TAMCC is not an issue, technology has made it possible in other parts of the world, as well as, SGU to access quality education online. Make better use of the Distance Lerning Education department that already exist within the College and offer an online component to every module.
While this may be a good initiative three question no one is asking:
1. TAMCC was just struggling financially and the government was also struggling, who exactly is paying for this and how is it financed?
2. This only benefits students who meet entry qualification to both institution
3. Both institution can only accommodate a certain number of students, hence, catering to certain students who will be qualified to make the cut.
We need to build or focus more on skills. Especially for students who not fit will in a traditional classroom. Didn’t the government state these are also the persons who are engaged in crime during their campaign only shy a year ago. So what is the government really doing to meet the needs of those students? This initiative only benefits the few, most of those students who parents can also afford
Now this is a wonderful opportunity for those young people who dropped out of school with little or no subjects to get back into full-time education