Donald English, Northern Caribbean University student (left) and Tracy Dolcy, UWI student (right). - Photos by Norman Grindley/ Chief Photographer

Some university students are expressing very strong disagreement with the government's move to regulate funding through Students' Loan Bureau (SLB) so as to ensure more students study in areas deemed to be critical to national development.

The coalition of protesting students were airing their concerns in the recent Gleaner Editor's Forum at the company's North Street office.

Should a country in the crippling financial straits like Jamaica finds itself, not make strategic determinations in how it spends its money and choose areas of priority? Or should the government at all times aim to ensure that there is equal opportunity for all students, no matter what they decide they want to study?

Psychology students

Donald English who will be graduating from the Northern Caribbean University with a bachelor's degree in psychology and social work strongly advocates the latter position.

English is still unemployed and said that a common problem among students who study psychology is that they either remain unemployed or are forced to work outside their field; that is, unless they study up to the doctoral level. He argued, however, that despite the lack of job options for him he is not sorry he made his choice and would not have appreciated being denied the option.

"For me, it is not that I was not informed where the jobs are. Psychology is what I want to do. I see a need for it and if it means I have to practise elsewhere - or start my own business, once I'm qualified then that's what I'll have to do," English argued.

The argument was passionately supported by Tracy Dolcy, a student at the University of the West Indies (UWI). Dolcy, who is a citizen of the Caribbean island of St Lucia, is also the currently elected humanities and education representative on the UWI Guild.

"I am doing my major in drama and the first thing I'm told is, 'what are you going to do with drama?'

"I had to wait several years before I could come here because it was not on my country's priority list. Now I always say, going from Sir Arthur Lewis, that a country without the arts is a cultural dessert," Dolcy argued.

She said that in the new regiment to be undertaken by the government, the arts will be neglected - a move she greatly discourages.

"It aches me because without the arts, why would our friends in the banking sector work? I mean, you need that money for entertainment, who is going to entertain you?"

"Mavado," someone quipped.

Director of Career and Employment Services at the Northern Caribbean University, Carolyn Smith, who was also at the Editor's Forum, argued that balance was key to the debate.

Balance needed

"There needs to be a balance. What you seem to be suggesting is a 'bandwagonist' approach, which is what was taken many years ago when the government and other stakeholders decided that we need more persons in the area of business. So the University of the West Indies and other tertiary institutions directed funding towards expanding their business offerings and what are we having on the market now?"

"A glut", Smith said.

Smith agreed, however, that there needs to be some shift in governmental approach to funding focus. She argued that some may perhaps be directed at the high-school level to expose youth to their employment options earlier.

andrew.wildes@gleanerjm.com