I am very familiar with policy of UWI – PS Ministry of Education

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Nicole Bonadie-Baker wants it made clear that she is quite familiar with the policy of the University of the West Indies (UWI) in relation to matriculation.

Bonadie-Baker responded yesterday to questions raised by some persons about why it is only now, in the light of recent allegations{{more}} by the Leader of the Opposition that Associate Degrees from the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC) are not recognized by the UWI, that she sought clarification from Pro Vice Chancellor Allan Cobley.

Bonadie-Baker said that as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, she has been designated by the Government as its official representative (on behalf of the Minister of Education) on the Council of The UWI – the supreme governing body of the regional institution.

The permanent secretary said she attends meetings of the Council several times annually, an Annual Business Meeting and regular meetings of the Finance and General Purposes Committee (F&GPC).

“So, to answer your question, yes, I was very much aware of the University’s policy regulations on matriculation and other issues and also quite familiar with same.”

Bonadie-Baker said in her letter to the pro vice chancellor last week, she specifically asked the professor to indicate what were the University’s regulations in order “to publicly clarify any misconceptions here in St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

“I deliberately took this approach, because while I represent the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines on the UWI Council and F&GPC, I am not authorized to speak on behalf of the University of the West Indies and most certainly not on the interpretation of its policies. In his response (via letter dated September 18, 2014 and his email of same date), PVC Alan Cobley, who is authorized to speak on behalf of the University, spoke to the regulations,” the permanent secretary said.

“In like manner, I do not expect PVC Cobley or any other official of the University of the West Indies, to speak on behalf of the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines on any matter, unless expressly authorized to do so by the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“As a professional, I cannot assume of my own accord, the authority to speak on behalf of other organisations in respect of their operational policies and procedures,” Bonadie-Baker said.

“Clearly, PVC Alan Cobley, is of the same opinion, and gave written permission for his response to be published, in order to avoid ‘any misinterpretation of statements issued by the UWI on this matter, or any misconceptions by the public at large of UWIs policy on matriculation regulations of the University and the ability in particular, of Associate Degree Graduates of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVG) to gain admission to tertiary level programmes of the UWI’.”

Minister of Education Girlyn Miguel, in her capacity as Minister of Education, is a Member of the Council of The University of the West Indies (UWI). The permanent secretary represents the minister of the Council.