Dear Editor,
As I read the Kaieteur News on July 4, to my shock and disappointment there was an article captioned ‘Guyanese Hugh Wooding law students complain of discrimination.’ In this report it was stated, among other things, that twenty-five of twenty-seven Guyanese students currently attending the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) had raised several issues. Among such issues was a claim of “discrimination and disadvantages faced in pursuit of their Legal Education certificate at the overseas-based institution.” I must rebut this statement.
As a past student of the HWLS, it has been my observation and experience that Guyanese law students are not discriminated against but rather, are favoured in relation to the other students, in light of the fact that the members of the administration are well aware of and have a clear understanding of our financial position. They have through the years, been extremely supportive and accommodating of Guyanese Law Students.
In fact, there were times when the HWLS generously exercised its discretion, by allowing students to pay their fees by instalments. Such is the courtesy extended on a regular basis to Guyanese law students who experienced difficulty in sourcing their tuition in full. This courtesy continued up to May 2015.
In this regard, the practice of the HWLS was often to allow Guyanese students to make retroactive payments of the tuition upon the completion of their training, but before receiving their Legal Education Certificates.
Moreover, mention must also be made of the fact that many Guyanese students were the beneficiaries of financial support through efforts made by members of the school’s administration. This financial support was garnered to help the students complete their financial obligations for the given year.
Furthermore, it must also be said that not only did we receive financial support to complete tuition payments, but that many Guyanese students were recipients of student bursaries, amounting to TT$5,000.00 (approximately G$160,000.00) and welfare support, which in some instances included clothing and housing. These were all provided by members of the administration of the Hugh Wooding Law School.
The foregoing are among the many courtesies which were extended to Guyanese law students as at May, 2015.
Yours faithfully,
Alaira Murphy
