Hard decisions to save UTT

THE EDITOR: I listened with concern to the many questions asked by the Opposition in the Senate about job cuts at the University of TT (UTT) and its future.

I am disappointed that some of these questions are coming from former tertiary education minister Fazal Karim, who presided over the management of this institution during his tenure and who is fully aware of the financial and other issues threatening its survival.

It’s unfortunate that Education Minister Anthony Garcia has to be the bearer of bad news of job cuts and other cost-cutting measures to save UTT. If these hard decisions had been taken by Karim, it would have been on better financial grounds today.

I remember back in 2016, the OWTU raised concerns about overstaffing, the need to rationalise academic programmes, top-heavy management and fears that UTT will not be able to sustain high salaries and allowances paid to top executives. The writing was on the wall.

Garcia deserves commendation for his efforts to help UTT and OWTU resolve this problem. He has demonstrated the political will to make hard decisions to save TT’s only indigenous university. A legacy all future UTT students will inherit.

JAMES FRANCOIS, St James