Bridgetown.
The Government of Barbados is working on reducing its $150 million debut to the University of the West Indies (UWI).
Minister of Education Ronald Jones, last night told a branch meeting of the St Michael South Democratic Labour Party branch meeting at the Bay Composite School, the Government was working on lowering the debut without adversely affecting students.
Jones stated that between 2004 and 2008, Government's funds to the UWI moved from $75 million to $162 million. This amount was divided into economic cost of about $128 million and tuition fees of $34 million.
"At the end of 2008 one started to see, a small trail debut", Jones said.
He noted that the university's financial year straddled two Government financial years. As a result Government went to Parliament for a supplementary provision of $46 million in February 2009 but the full amount could not have been paid in time to start the new financial year in April, as a result only $22 million was paid by April.
Jones said the amount of $150 million has been stated in the media so there is nothing to hide, he give the assurance that the Government is working on a solution. 
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