Gov’t Committed to Increasing Access to Tertiary Education – Senator Reid

The Government remains committed to increasing access to tertiary education by bolstering the resources of the Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB).

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, made the pledge during an economic growth and sustainability summit at the University of Technology’s (UTech) Old Hope Road campus in St. Andrew on March 16.

“We will ensure that it (SLB) is adequately funded. We are also committed to a further lowering of the interest rates as the economy grows and students can rest assured that this Administration will keep repayments calculated on the reducing balance,” he said.

Senator Reid said the Government recognises that sustainable development goes hand in hand with higher education and, as such, will be collaborating with the private sector to provide increased opportunities for the nation’s students to access tertiary studies at institutions across the island.

“This Government, like others across the world, cannot completely fund all the needs of tertiary education. For that reason, we will be seeking greater synergies with the private sector while we explore additional conduits that will result in increased opportunities for students, who want a chance to shine,” he said.

The SLB is Jamaica’s premier student loan-financing organisation committed to ensuring that qualified, needy Jamaican students have access to financial assistance to pursue tertiary education.

The Economic Growth and Sustainability Summit was held under the theme: ‘Powering Economic Growth and Sustainability through Investment, Innovation, Productivity and the Law’.

The Summit formed part of the Celebration of Excellence by UTech’s College of Business and Management from March 16 to April 1.