ST GEORGE’S Grenada, Jun 25, CMC – The main opposition New National party (NNP) Monday urged the government to reconsider the decision to increase tuition fees at the T A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) saying it would prevent many young people from securing higher education.

NNP’s shadow education minister Delma Thomas said many people, particularly in the rural areas will not be able to afford the new fees in addition to the already high costs of transportation, books and materials, as well as other related services such as accommodation.

“Education and training are indeed an investment in the future of our country. It is the responsibility of every government to do all within its means to secure the future, and the educating and training of our young people is surely one of the means of ensuring a brighter future for all our children and by extension all the people of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique,” she added.

Thomas said that in the fees at the College would be increased by as much as EC$1,000 (US$370) a term, adding that in recent times there has been an increase in the number of drop outs at tertiary institutions across the island and this should be of concern to the relevant authorities.

“Should this situation continue unabated, it can contribute to future social problems, which are linked to underachievement, lack of self fulfillment, poverty and hopelessness,” she said, urging the Tillman Thomas administration to review its existing policy on education.

She dismissed a statement by Education Minister Franka Alexis-Bernadine that she was unaware of the increase in fees at the TAMCC, saying the College’s board of directors must get clearance from the government before announcing the new fees.

“The government has also removed transportation assistance, uniform assistance, the food basket programme, milk programme and other support provided to many vulnerable families throughout the nation under the NNP administration,” she added.

General elections are due in Grenada next year.