Garcia: UWI matriculation relaxation will not affect education quality

EDUCATION Minister Anthony Garcia said the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine campus’ relaxation of matriculation requirements will not affect the quality of education.

He was responding to an urgent question in the House Friday on whether the Education Ministry and the Accreditation Council of TT (ACTT) were consulted on the relaxation of matriculation requirements at the St Augustine campus for the academic year 2020/2021.

Garcia said that he has been in contact on an almost daily basis with UWI St Augustine campus principal Professor Brian Copeland on the matter.

He reported that Copeland assured him that all decisions taken were taken by the other arms of UWI (which has four landed campuses and one open campus) and not only St Augustine.

He further reported that he was told there was a meeting of heads of governments where the issue was discussed.

He said that Copeland also indicated that he had discussions with ACTT executive director Dr Eduardo Ali and everything has been approved. “So that there is no problem with respect to the change in matriculation.”

Chaguanas East MP Fazal Karim asked whether the relaxation of requirements would affect the quality of education delivered at the university.

Garcia replied: “The quality of education will not be compromised. Again in discussing with the principal of the St Augustine campus of the UWI I have been assured that every effort would be made to ensure that our students receive the high quality education that this university has been accustomed to delivering.

“So there is absolutely no question of the quality of education being compromised.” Karim asked if students will have to take more remedial classes to address any gaps but the Speaker ruled that she would not allow it as a supplemental question.

UWI in a statement said the matriculation requirements were being modified in response to the covid19 pandemic.

UWI Pro Vice-Chancellor for the board for undergraduate studies Professor Clive Landis said “the change in policy is more about building flexibility into The UWI application process.”

The change allows for students who have passed at least two Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination subjects either at Unit 1 or 2 at Grades 1-4, who also have the requisite Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate subjects and are currently registered for either Unit 1 or 2 to qualify as normal matriculants to the university.