1. Tuition Fees and GATE Dr. Camille Samuel Vice President – Student Affairs November 2011 1

2. 2 Established by an Act of Parliament in 2000 with a mandate to broaden access Currently 7 campus sites Student Population - Over 11,000 students COSTAATT - 4 tier admissions system – 5 CXC/CSEC; Advanced level; COMPASS; and PLAR - a different kind of support required when entry is through the last two. A diverse student population Pertinent Details - COSTAATT

3. COSTAATT – Academic Support Model COSTAATT’s mandate, its flexible admissions policy, and GATE funding have: - increased access by academically prepared and underprepared students - increased access by economically constrained students Creating a dilemma of access vs success for the College COMPASS Programme – Deliberately caters for the academically underprepared 3

4. The Academically Underprepared Their Profile Weak academic foundation Hard working Many socio-economic challenges At times - inconsistent presence in College – semesters missed! Slow progress through the system 4

5. Academically Underprepared - Support Required Tutorial sessions – Faculty and Peer Tutorials Student progress tracking Longer time on tasks Repeats must be allowed Counseling and developmental advising services 5

6. The Academically Underprepared – Why Support? The COSTAATT Graduate and GDP – approximately 11,000 graduates who are productive citizens Education = Improved standard of life - No opportunity in the current tertiary landscape for the academically underprepared and financially constrained! Marginalization of this Group - Societal Cost Heavy! 6

7. COSTAATT Reality The COSTAATT student may progress through the system at a slower rate The learning curve for the COSTAATT student may be gentler We believe that we are serving a noble cause. 7

8. Implications Tuition Fees - GATE Strategies to Consider 1.Fixed programme fees across sector – Credit System – facilitated by the ACTT. This initiative could potentially result in a decline in overbilling by some institutions. 8

9. Implications Tuition Fees - GATE Strategies to Consider 2. Continued Gate Support – Industry Priority Areas – linked to manpower needs – students must be made to contribute to our economy! 9

10. Implications Tuition Fees - GATE Strategies to Consider 3. Tighter monitoring and reporting on academically underprepared grouping in all institutions – Progress Rule Should Apply! 10

11. Implications Tuition Fees - GATE Strategies to Consider 4. All State funded institutions should be encouraged to develop a well structured College Prep Programme – to reduce drop outs/excessive failures 11

12. The Result! More academically prepared students – progressing through the system – reduction in wastage ($) Increased productive manpower for the country Reduced Government spending on at risk groups in the society! 12

13. Thank You 13