Post Cabinet Briefing Summary – Thursday 23rd June, 2016

The Honourable Anthony Garcia, Minister of Education and the Honourable Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Minister of Culture, Community Development and the Arts, addressed members of the media during the Post Cabinet Press Briefing today (Thursday 23rd June, 2016) at the Office of the Prime Minister, St. Clair, Port of Spain.

Minister Garcia announced that Cabinet has agreed to grant fifteen (15) post graduate scholarships. To be eligible for these scholarships, students must graduate with First Class Honours at the Bachelor’s level. These scholarships will extend to the five (5) universities in the region including the University of the West Indies (UWI), the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) and the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) and recipients will be able to pursue their studies up to the Doctorate level.

The Minister of Education also announced that Cabinet has agreed on a 10% top up of school text books from the primary school level (infant) through to the secondary school level (Form 6). This follows an audit which was carried out by the ministry which revealed that there was an excess of textbooks in the system – despite claims that students were forced to go without books.

The Minister of Culture, Community Development and the Arts also announced the Government’s plan to support Eid celebrations. Fifty (50) organisations will receive funding for the observance of Eid-ul-Fitr which will be celebrated on July 6th 2016. These organisations would also have received funding last year. Approximately three (3) million dollars will be provided in funding. Minister Gadsby-Dolly also noted that additional grants will be considered by the ministry.