$12.5M for COSTAATT relocation

THE College of Science Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT) will get a major injection of funds to continue its role in providing tertiary education. Prime Minister Patrick Manning yesterday announced that Cabinet has agreed to allocate $12.5 million to re-locate the campus and four departments of the John Donaldson Technical Institute, the Joint Services Staff College and COSTAATT’s Central Services, as well as to undertake critical upgrades to physical facilities and equipment at the John Donaldson and San Fernando Technical Institutes. In a statement in the Senate yesterday on developing the country’s human resources, Manning said it was government’s intention to “rekindle hope in the drop out, motivate the low achievers and sustain the high achievers.”

Focussing on education, Manning said a number of initiatives will be continued and new ones started. Regarding COSTAATT in particular, Manning said two major areas of expenditure would be undertaken to improve the quantity and quality of the campus. In the first instance, construction of the campus is expected to begin in 2006. In the interim, the need for space at the institution will see an additional 2,400 students being accommodated at the Trinity/Bishop East School from September this year and the introduction of an Associate Degree programme in Performing Arts. Manning said Cabinet has also agreed to reintroduce the National Examinations Council Craft and Technician Programme at the John Donaldson Institute, which were phased out in 1998.

In the second instance, Manning said “$23.4 million will be spent to fund financial aid programmes in support of the College.” Included in this will be the free access to transitional studies or remedial education at all of the College’s campuses. The PM said the Transitional Studies Programme, to be considered through a Community Education Programme, will provide school leavers and adult students with a second chance to attain secondary level competencies as a prerequisite for matriculation into college level programmes of study. Manning said COSTAATT will also provide “full tuition scholarships, book grants, work study and peer tutoring scholarships to aid ambitious low income and at-risk students overcome their financial disabilities.”