THE EDITOR, Sir:STUDENTS WHO pursue law degrees (LLB) outside of the University of the West Indies are being discriminated against by that institution.
Ordinary persons like myself who have to work and study as we are not privileged to have wealthy parents who can finance our education to post-graduate level are now being marginalised. This is particularly the situation with students who pursue law degrees through the University of London which encompasses a higher level of learning than that of UWI.
Entry to the Norman Manley Law School by UWI students is $175,000 annually, plus $20,000 for entrance examination fees. It has now been decided effective June 18, 2004 that the amount payable by us is approximately $890,000 annually plus other expenses. All the UWI students is required to pay for admission is $180,000. Isn't this a deliberate attempt to ostracise us from this 'noble institution'? The Right Honourable Norman Washington Manley, who was considered one of the finest legal minds this country ever produced, would strongly oppose this attempt to deny ordinary Jamaicans entry to a school that was named after him.
This proposal should be scrapped as it would deny the 'reasonable man' an opportunity to pursue a life-long ambition in many cases like mine. Why not level the playing field by making all applicants (UWI, UL, etc.) do the entrance examinations to enter the school? History has proven that the best lawyers of this country were not even schooled here.
Any university student can pursue a law degree but will that student necessarily make a great lawyer? Education should be an equal opportunity benefit and not a privilege based on money. Should my life-long ambition be now shattered because I am discriminated against in a so-called democratic country? The irony of this situation is that in the countries of our once colonial masters I would be provided the opportunity to learn whatever I desire as long as I am willing to make the necessary sacrifices as the 'playing field' would seem much more level.
I am, etc.,
ARTHUR TUGWELL
Kingston
