No such thing as free education

That is a myth and a misnomer,” he said.

Lovell made the remarks on Thursday while addressing some 240 recipients of diplomas, associate and bachelor’s degrees at the Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute 2016 graduation ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency, Portof- Spain. “The word ‘free’ implies there is no cost attached and no one pays for it. Not even water is free. Everything has a cost attached to it.” Continuing, he said, “Your education came at a tremendous cost, the majority or part of it was carried by the taxpayers.

That means that you have a social contract with your nation.” Through taxpayers contribution, he said, that as graduates they were expected to be exemplary citizens and play a significant part in the development of the nation.

Noting that for sometime the economy had been overly dependent on the energy sector and that things have not been good with it recently, Lovell said, “We have as a culture come to understand, or coming to understand, that we cannot put all our eggs in one basket and hope to develop as a nation.” Tourism is a critical sector which, he said, “maybe in the past, we have not treated with significance, but going forward, must be seen as absolutely central to our continued development.” Even as they revel in their certification and graduation which came at the end of hard work, patience and sacrifice, he said, “understand that your education is not just an entity unto yourself and for yourself.

It has a wider and economic social application, that is also of consequence not just to you, but the entire society.” He urged that they help in the process of reorienting the economy, and elevating tourism as an industry. The Executive Director’s Award for the most outstanding student, having achieved the highest GPA was presented to Shammah Taylor. Valedictorians were Kyle Jemmot on behalf of full time students and Keon Cooper, for part time.

Four graduates obtained bachelor’s degrees in tourism and hospitality management and seven in culinary management. The majority of graduates were at the diploma and associate degree levels in baking and pastry arts, culinary arts, events and conference management, food and beverage supervision, front office and travel agency operations, culinary management, food and beverage management, hospitality management, and tourism management.