RECENTLY, I WROTE a column about the funding of university education in Barbados. Since that article, I have received an unusually high number of responses and reactions from friends and persons whom I had previously never met or interacted with.
Most were quite positive, but some were amazingly negative. I have even been challenged to defend my position by suggesting how, without full government funding, could university education be accessible to the average Barbadian.
Today, I will do just that. One thing about me, if nothing else, is that I never bend or run away from a challenge. Let us establish up front that I, unlike some of my friends, do not believe that the government should be expected to totally finance university education for all.
I have suffered the swipe of being told about wanting to kick down the ladder that was there for me to climb. Fortunately, or otherwise, my university education was partially funded by the taxpayers of the United States and not of Barbados. This was also true for my daughter.
There was a four-part package that provided all the necessary funding to see me through all four years of my degree programme. In addition to the partial scholarship I received, my mother was required to provide termly payments from her very limited income.
The other payments were placed squarely on my shoulders. I was required to work two hours a day, five days a week in an area as decided. In my case, it was serving breakfast in the cafeteria and washing the dishes on completion.Â
The fourth component was a loan that I received which had to be repaid after graduation. We were allowed a one-year moratorium before the first payment had to be made as part of a seven-year repayment schedule. I recommend this structure.
But how can the university afford this? I graduated from my college 41 years ago. Each year since then, I have received an envelope seeking a donation. This is requested from each alumnus. Of course, all do not respond and certainly not every year.Â
These contributions, varying according to the individual affordability of the donor, have resulted in that school now having an endowment in excess of $300 million. If we are as proud of our university as we say, we should give back, but the process must be led from Cave Hill.
The authorities at the university can also organise an annual reunion week at which time they can sell memorabilia and encourage much interaction. Games of all types, parties and paid functions can also form part of the week. These could help provide additional finance.
The potential students and their parents must also accept personal responsibility. Some may be in a good financial position, but all may not be. Some years ago, I started a savings and investment initiative at the Alexandra School. This could be a model for many to follow.
Children, who may or may not see university as a focus, should sign up for this programme and deposit money at the school level as often as they can that will grow and be available upon graduation. In my experience, there were a number of children who received final payments of in excess of $3500 inclusive of annual interest.
With all the talent that has come through the walls of the UWI there can be an annual talent show involving both students and alumni. This could be yet another revenue stream. We cannot continue to seek to answer changing challenges with the usual responses.
While the government continues its 80 per cent funding, the UWI can help students meet the 20 per cent through grants or provide loans from the funds accumulated. Education needs our total involvement!
Jeff Broomes is an experienced educator, principal and community organiser who also served as vice-president of the BCA and director of the WICB. Email: [email protected]
