Denial of economic costs to youths is politically affiliated say critics

Several persons have spoken out on the apparent denial of economic costs to St. Kitts and Nevis students, based on their perceived political affiliation.

Over the past week, accounts have emerged accusing the Team Unity administration, led by Prime Minister Timothy Harris, of the discriminant behaviour.

A female caller to the programme disclosed that qualified nationals who have been accepted to attend the University of the West Indies (UWI) to pursue tertiary level education were being denied economic costs because they were not known to be supporters of the tri partite governing coalition.

Seemingly, the denial of scholarships by the Timothy Harris-led Team Unity Government also extends to other friendly nations that provide scholarships for nationals to study at several universities.

Businesswoman Carla Astaphan, speaking in relation to the apparent denial of economic costs to a successful UWI applicant, wrote on social media that one of her classmates from the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) “who is well poised to be a future lawyer, just told me he isn’t going to study again this year due to being denied for economic costs.”

“I know he is a vocal young labour and could well be a politician in the future but that should not count! It is very upsetting to learn he has to twiddle his thumbs here for another year when all his former classmates are leaving for school. He is one of the brightest of our graduating class of 2018! He deserves to go to study NOW!” she stated in her post.

The apparent practice has been frowned upon, especially since Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris received assistance in climbing up the educational ladder.

“He reached to the top, he kicked down the ladder” preventing other young people from achieving their dreams and aspirations,” Ivor W A Henry alleges.