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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Brown: COB needs immediate attention to gain University Status
By Ronique Brown, President of the FNM Torchbearers Youth Association
Jan 7, 2016 - 9:01:12 PM
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***image1***The following is a press statement by Ronique Brown, President of the FNM Torchbearers Youth Association:
It has been roughly 3 years since this PLP government promised to “double the investment in education.” It has been roughly 2 years since this PLP government increased COB fees and then prevented COBUS from exercising their constitutional right to enter the House of Assembly. It has been one year and two months since the Minister of Education, the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald stood in the House of Assembly and informed of the government's plans to borrow over $16 million to assist with The College of The Bahamas transition to university status. These are just a few of the many times that this PLP government has disrespected the young people and treated them with utter contempt.
Mr. Fitzgerald stated, “In keeping with this government’s National Policy Directive COB is in a process of transition to university status, and is scheduled to achieve University status before the end of 2015.” One of the various components of the transition included the implementation of a new management system that according to COBs President, Dr. Rodney Smith was designed to streamline the financial administration and registration process.
While we do encourage all Bahamians to register in advance for all crucial events, we must also encourage the government to be equally as understanding and sympathetic towards the most vulnerable in our society, as they are with the wealthy and powerful to whom they cater to frequently.
There are numerous stories of students who earnestly tried to register for classes in time, but like so many government ministries, these students were relocated from one place to the next only to be burdened by a late fee inclusive of VAT. Responding to frantic calls from COB students Dr. Hubert Minnis immediately intervened and did something that we have not seen in this country for nearly 4 years. Dr. Minnis did more than the PLP’s famous tactic of talking about caring for the vulnerable in our society, he actually fought for and advocated for these students.
In keeping with the policy put forward by the FNM of “no VAT on education”, Dr. Minnis met with senior members of COB and successfully negotiated a waiver of the $150.00 late fee. While it is easy to blame the students who stood in line all day in the rain, let us take time and reflect on the deeper issue of poor management and broken promises by this PLP Government which impacts numerous aspects of our lives. Let us take time to reflect on the sad truth that this government goes beyond the call of duty to serve and deliver special favors to their elite and wealthy friends, families and lovers, but is remarkably absent when the vulnerable are in need of assistance.
We encourage that in power moving forward, to engage COBUS in the conversation regarding COB and to take the necessary measures to ensure that COB becomes more accommodating to its students. We also encourage the government to consider the FNMs proposal to remove VAT on education in an effort to make it more affordable and accessible to our youth. We look forward to the day when this government fulfills its promises to invest in the youth of our country. Finally, we look forward to the day when this government does more than talk about a brighter tomorrow, but by its actions, demonstrates and creates systems that will make a difference. It is our hope that this unfortunate situation will be seen as a lesson to improve our tertiary education system, and hopefully it will propel COB closer toward ‘University’ status.
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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