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Increased tuition fee could have repercussions – Teixeira
– but Govt prepared to handle some of UG’s debt
Although there has been much talk about an increase in the tuition fee at the University of Guyana, such a move could have far-reaching financial repercussions. Presidential Advisor, Gail Teixeira, when she responded to questions from the media during the most recent Post Cabinet press briefing on Thursday, said that Government will first have to scrutinise a number of factors ahead of approving such a move.
Presidential Advisor, Gail Teixeira
“One has to recognise that it is not just an increase in fees but it will mean an increase in students’ loans and that does have financial repercussions…So if you move hypothetically from $127,000 to $400,000 it means the students’ loans will have to go up by almost $300,000.”
Labelling discussions on the issue as “very controversial,” Teixeira, who has held a place on the University Council, related that while Government will have the ultimate role of approval, the matter is one that represents a policy issue.
“The issue of (tuition fees) increase has floated through the University Council meetings probably in the last year but there is no consensus; Council has to make the recommendations but there are strong voices that are in favour and strong voices that are not in favour,” Teixeira said.
However, she noted that the Council will have to continue discussions and come to an agreement.
Thousands of students are granted students’ loans on an annual basis, according to Teixeira. She said that increasing the tuition fee “…is not just saying let’s have more money.”
She explained that the discussion relating to a hike in the tuition fee comes as part of reform initiatives being looked at by the University. These, according to her, will see the University seeking to have a better qualified staff and bringing the tertiary institution to a higher standard.
Currently efforts are being made to have the University embrace the protocol and standards of the University of the West Indies (UWI) in a number of areas including that of hiring and the hours of work for lecturers.
This strategic move comes on the heels of a recent special audit that was conducted within the Bursary which uncovered financial discrepancies bordering on fraud.
The special audit, which was conducted by experts from UWI, was able to deduce that the University has a debt of $482, 621, 000.
And according to Teixeira, Government has been fully briefed on the state of affairs by the Minister of Education, the University Council members, who are also members of Cabinet, as well as the Vice Chancellor.
This, she disclosed, has allowed for an agreed course of action. “Obviously there will have to be support to the University financially.”
According to her, Government’s role will be to “try to assist with clearing off some of the debt that seem to have been accumulated but under certain terms and conditions.”
She, however, did not elaborate on the terms and conditions.
The special audit, which was conducted earlier this year, was done in three phases and already the University has been in receipt of reports of the first and second phases.
“We are now waiting for the third phase (report) which will be finished by the end of September which will give greater clarity on a number of issues,” said Teixeira.
Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, in highlighting a daunting financial situation, at a recent press conference, expressed optimism that Government would be willing to write off the University’s debt.
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