Prime Minister defends U.B. policy …

With University of Belize students protesting both the prospect of increased fees and the establishment of an ITVET facility on the Freetown Road Campus, the U.B. administration had been on the defensive. Following the lead of Education Minister Francis Fonseca, Prime Minister Said Musa this morning defended his government’s proposal and pointed to other forces he believes are at work.

Prime Minister Said Musa
?I can?t understand what is the real concern is about. The Government is not selling any part of Technical College grounds, the government is not disposing of any disposing of … in fact the Government is enhancing the asset and will improve the conditions for the University of Belize. So I suspect what is going on here is a bit of negative, politics being played and mischief being made with the University of Belize. As far as fees, there will be no increase in the next semester.?

Janelle Chanona, Reporting
?I notice that when Dr. Lewis addressed the students, she said that regarding the fee increase in August 2007, that they must go to the Government because it is out of their hands. Will there be a consideration of increasing tertiary level subventions??

Said Musa
?Well that will depend on of course on the conditions of the economy at the time. I wouldn?t want to say at this time. But I think we need to be guided by what the Minister of Education said, he did say that as a policy, he would not support any increase in fees unless we have a that time, a good student loan programme to assist the students.?