Tertiary and Education Skills Training Minister Fazal Karim has assured that no one will be discriminated against as the Government Assistance for Tertiary Education (Gate) programme is expanded in the coming year.
He said so during the feature address at the National Training Agency’s launch of the Sector Advisory Committees (SACs) at the ministry’s board room, Tower C, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, yesterday. Assuring the public that GATE “will continued to be secured and expanded,” Karim stressed that “everyone will benefit and we will not discriminate.” For the first time since it was introduced, Gate would provide funding for technical and vocational training, he said.
Karim’s assurances were issued in response to statements by Independent Senator Dr Rolph Balgobin on Tuesday during the continuing budget debate in the Upper House that children of wealthy parents who could afford to pay for tertiary education, should not be allowed to access the programme.
In his contribution, Balgobin said: “Every year since Gate has been formed, I can't tell you but the majority of people who call me to find out about Gate registration are the people who shouldn’t be accessing it. They have enough money.” He said there were no checks and balances in place to regulate the free tuition programme, as some people were abusing it while others failed to complete study courses without any repercussions.
He added: “I like the idea of no Gate or reduced Gate for the wealthy in particular. Give Gate on a loan component for everyone else and for those who are truly in need, give them the full 100 per cent but we ought to stop thinking we can pick up these wads of money and pelt them at things.” Referring to yesterday’s launch, Karim said the SACs were to inform the interview and appraisal process, as well as “inform and advise what are the competencies needed in the various levels.”
The SACs were formed from the National Industry Training Organisation (NITO) and would assist in providing data for the current Labour Market Information Systems (LMIS), he said. Karim also emphasised the importance of the SACs on national security as he said the NTA and the National Security Ministry had partnered to established the National Security Training Agency which encompasses the various protective services of Trinidad and Tobago.
The launch culminated with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Karim and representatives of the SACs, representing the construction, maritime and national security sectors. Karim said data driven decisions would be the driving force that would develop the nation and its workforce.