Gov't says culture scholarships are for poor and needy

The government of Trinidad and Tobago has responded to the controversy over the award of scholarships to selected individuals saying the assistance is meant for students who are "young, poor, needy and vulnerable".

A news release from the culture ministry Monday said "applicants and/or their households must provide evidence of financial need in respect of study/training expenses".

In addition "beneficiaries may be required to enter into an agreement with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to serve within their respective communities or the country for a designated period of time".

The matter relates to allegations of discrimination into the award of scholarships. When the opposition tried to get information about the wards the government refused to divulge any information, citing privacy rules.

But Attorney Anand Ramlogan was able to get the information through a request it made in the High Court on behalf of his client, the Indo-Trinbago Equality Council (ITEC).

The list that the government had kept secret showed the disbursement of $46 million in financial assistance from 2003 to 2007.

Read the story: Secret scholarship list reveals discrimination

It its statement Monday the ministry expressed "its pleasure that at least two of the former recipients of financial assistance have chosen to selflessly channel their talents, after their studies abroad, to serving their country at the highest levels."

The reference is to government senator Laurel Lezama and Paige de Leon, Communications Manager in the office of the prime minister. Both received more than $100,000 each for studies abroad.

The ministry outlined some of the criteria for the wards:

• Financial Assistance may be granted annually for a maximum period of four years
• Consideration will be given for local, regional or overseas studies/training to a maximum of $25,000 per annum for local programmes, 2,500 British pounds per annum for programmes in the United Kingdom and US$5,000 per annum for programmes in other countries
• Awards above those specified may be considered but only in exceptional cases
• The Selection Committee may elect to interview any applicant where necessary

The statement did not address other controversial issues, including why the scholarships were not awarded nationally and the obvious enthnic imbalanace in the awards of scholarhips.

It also did not offer any support to demonstrate that recipients were all within the stated guideline of "young, poor, needy and vulnerable".

Related: Panday slams PNM over scholarships, says it exposes true political agenda