Longer opening hours and an increase in some courses are coming to the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic, which has been described as under-funded, lacking in space and needing change.
In his address to the polytechnic’s graduation ceremony for the Class of 2013 at New Dimension Ministries on Saturday night, chairman of the board of management Desmond Browne bemoaned the institution’s meagre budget and the fact that over half of the yearly applicants were turned away.
“We must increase accessibility,” he said. “More than 60 per cent of those who apply are rejected. In other words, more than half of those who want to come to the Polytechnic cannot get in. Space is limited and cannot be increased because we can’t even go upward, so the common sense solution is time.”
Browne suggested that the Wildey, St Michael-based institution should open for longer periods where classes can begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 9:30 p.m. Describing this as a cost-effective way forward, he said this could also be enhanced by online classes which would free up classroom space, even for students fresh out of secondary school. (RJ)
