Latest update November 9th, 2024 1:00 AM
Dec 10, 2013 News
By Abena Rockcliffe
The Alliance for Change (AFC) has moved to the National Assembly to secure the restoration of Critchlow Labour College’s annual subvention which was taken away some nine years ago.
The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government, with Sheik Baksh as Minister of Education, had withdrawn its subvention from the College, calling for a revamp of the system and more accountability.
The AFC is now seeking financial security for the College in the National Assembly through a Motion that stands in the name of Trevor Williams, himself a former student of Critchlow.
Critchlow Labour College, named after Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, was established over 40 years ago.
Since its establishment, the Critchlow Labour College received financial assistance in the form of a subvention from the Guyana government. In the 1980s, the College was acknowledged as the busiest labour institution in the Caribbean.
However, the move by government to withhold the subvention has caused serious operational problems and saw the College closing its doors temporarily.
It was reopened in 2010 but now offers a significantly reduced curriculum, thereby limiting the options of those desiring higher education.
Williams, in his Motion, said that the Critchlow Labour College through its three campuses in Georgetown, Linden and Berbice, served to educate thousands of Guyanese, both adult and youth, for decades and gave many a second chance at educating themselves.
He noted that the government of Guyana, both under the People’s National Congress (PNC) and PPP/C, through the Ministry of Finance, provided a subvention to the Critchlow Labour College, thereby subsidizing the cost of education to thousands of Guyanese from all walks of life. Williams added that through the benefit of this subvention, the Critchlow Labour College successfully entered into partnerships for developing education within Guyana and abroad with reputable institutions;
The parliamentarian and former student of Critchlow alluded to the hundreds of young Guyanese who entered and re-entered the job market and became highly skilled and successful professionals as a result of what the college offered.
Williams mentioned too the numerous parents and guardians who were able to access affordable education at a convenient time, thereby developing themselves and making their families more stable.
The parliamentarian pointed out that after the withdrawal of this subvention the institution eventually collapsed thereby bringing to ruin the hopes and aspirations of thousands of young Guyanese from all walks of life..
Williams is urging the National Assembly to call on the Government of Guyana to restore the full subvention “thereby allowing the Critchlow Labour College to be re-opened to its full capacity.”
Cry of former students
Since the College begun to deteriorate, many who benefitted from the programme has turned to the media for help and to register dissatisfaction.
Veronica Anthony , Fiona Lake, Allison Dunbar, Shabana Alli , Timothy Layne, John Tiwari, Marilyn Bradford, Cheryl Thomas and Sherlock Gomes all former students of the College had written a joint letter published in a daily newspaper.
They noted that the College “made a difference in our lives…We were not outstanding students at high school. The College gave us the opportunity to do the one year, CXC and professional programmes. We have acquired lasting friendships and skills that have made us marketable. Some of us are attending university and College. We are employed and self-employed. All of us are productive citizens contributing to nation-building. Education makes a nation! The nation needs Critchlow.”
Lurlene Nestor, another former student noted that it was unfortunate that the government doesn’t see the “direct relationship between an educated workforce and a progressive nation…One would have thought that by now the government would have worked with the College to ensure that the subvention was restored. However, partisan politics continue to prevail and in the interim, the rank and file remains starved of valuable education.”
Nestor had noted, “What is also most disgusting is that at a time when the world’s economies are experiencing serious downturns, and in particular the Guyana economy, the President and government are advancing legislation to allow for taxpayers to take care of the President’s every financial need after leaving office. When Guyanese workers are struggling to meet their daily needs the government brings to the parliament the Former Presidents (Benefits and other Facilities) Bill of 2009; what a shame…It seems as if Guyana always does the opposite of whatever is happening, progressively speaking, in other parts of the world. In this period of world economic recession, government executives in many countries are taking pay cuts and giving up on certain amenities, but here the Parliament is entertaining a Bill for the nation to take care of the President’s total financial expenses when he leaves office.”
Nov 09, 2024
2024 CWI Men’s CG United Super50 Championships… Kaieteur Sports- With mother-nature having her way following the start of this year’s Regional Super50 Men’s Championships,...…Peeping Tom (Jagdeo’s illogical rejection) Kaieteur News- Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s recent comments on the... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]