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Barbados: Effective 2014, Students to pay for their tuition at the University of West Indies
The Barbados government says it will no longer pay tuition fees for nationals studying at the University of the West Indies (UWI).
This was revealed by the island-nation’s Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Chris Sinckler, in his 2013-14 budget presentation on Tuesday.
Effective 2014 Barbadian students pursuing studies at the university’s three campuses will be required to pay their own tuition fees, while Barbados continues to fund economic costs.
According to Sinckler, tuition fees range from US$2,812.50 to USS$32,500 and that the new policy would reduce the transfer to the University of the West Indies by an estimated US$21 million a year.
“The government of Barbados recognizes that access to education at all levels has been a key factor in the success of Barbados as a society and an economy,” Sinckler said, adding that the Stuart administration “remains committed to, and fully supportive of, the continued growth and development of the University of the West Indies – Cave Hill campus and increased access to tertiary education for Barbadians”.
In 2003/04 the Cave Hill Campus began a major expansion in terms of the numbers of students and the amenities offered. In 1999,, there were around 3,568 undergraduate students at Cave Hill and by 2007 this number had increased to around 6,718 and currently stands at around 7,200 students.
The expansion has meant major increases in the government of Barbados’ contribution to the University of the West Indies.
