The
dream of achieving a college degree is one shared by countless young Bahamians.
Unfortunately difficult economic circumstances have made it nearly impossible
for many parents to afford the cost of a college education. For students
pursuing the dream of tertiary education without the assistance of family, the
road to a degree is even more difficult.
The
reported announcement of the government’s intention to charge Value Added Tax
(VAT) on non-degree courses at the College of the Bahamas (COB) is an affront
to the scores of hard working students who, in the face of a 3.2 million dollar
budget cut, are already being required to shoulder an increased financial
burden through the payment of additional school service fees. When confronted
by concerned students earlier this year, members of this PLP government chose
to hide out in the Halls of Parliament refusing to let protesting students
inside, all in an attempt to dodge the tough questions which these students
were unquestionably owed at the time.
For
the thousands of students currently enrolled at the COB, and the thousands of
future high school graduates this country will produce in June of next year,
the taxation of non-degree courses is yet another obstacle which could prevent
striving young people from receiving the kind of education that would make them
real contributors to this society.
The
importance of education to our young and developing democracy cannot be
overstated. Education is more than reading, writing,
and arithmetic. It is one of the most important investments a country can make
in its people and its future and is critical to reducing poverty and
inequality. According to research compiled by the Global Partnership for
Education, more than 171 million people worldwide could be lifted out of
poverty if students in low income countries left school with basic reading
skills. Not only does a
sound education give our citizens the critical skills and tools needed to
improve their quality of life, it also helps create and sustain economic
growth, encourages transparency, good governance stability and fights
corruption.
In light of the many social ills currently facing our beautiful
country, The Democratic National Alliance calls on the government to reconsider
the taxation of these college courses and begin the process of removing all potential
barriers to receiving a quality education in this country.
While
on the campaign trail the PLP, then in opposition, promised to double the
investment in education at all levels. While in government however, they have
done the exact opposite cutting critical funding to the country’s leading
tertiary education institution, even as it prepares to advance toward
university status. Months following that ill-timed decision though, the
government found itself having to borrow up to 16 million dollars to fund COB’s
expansion.
Sadly
the actions of this government in handling the inefficiencies plaguing the public
school system prove that their promised commitments to education were nothing
more than empty words.
The
answers to the myriad of problem facing the country can be found first in the
reform of our education system. Any government worth its salt would act swiftly
to ensure that all its citizens, irrespective of their socio-economic status
have access to quality education. The future of our country depends on it.
Branville McCartney
DNA Leader