Gopeesingh must know about GATE funding

THE EDITOR: It is very unpatriotic for Dr Tim Gopeesingh to say medical students who benefit from GATE funding are not obligated to serve their country or pay back the money spent by the Government to fund their education. Students in many countries including the US must pay back their loans.

After being in government for so long, Gopeesingh is saying he does not know of any obligation for this group of students to serve their country.

I recall a particular court matter last year, where the Magistrates Court in Port of Spain ruled that a medical student who did not return to fulfil his contract obligations after studies overseas was ordered to pay back more than $3 million to the Government.

Instead of using this situation to spread misinformation and score political points, Gopeesingh should accept responsibility that GATE under his government produced many graduates with skills not relevant for the job market and also more graduates when compared with the number of jobs available.

The present Ministry of Education under Anthony Garcia must be commended for revising the GATE programme to prevent wastage and for ensuring its objectives are in line with the developmental needs of TT. Simply put, we produce a specific number of graduates based on the number of jobs available.

I cannot forget the many GATE-funded students (non-medical) who benefitted from the programme and are now working in the public and private sectors. I salute these students for their patriotism and commitment to utilise the skills acquired to benefit the taxpaying citizens of this country.

JAIRAM SINGH, Tunapuna