Local law school’s feasibility study to be reviewed
─ Council of Legal Education identifies a few gaps in requirements
─ govt and CLE agree to have feasibility study relooked
─ further discussions taking place on establishment of JOF Haynes Law School
DPI, Guyana, Friday, September 7, 2018
The Government of Guyana and the Council of Legal Education (CLE) have agreed that Guyana will relook at the feasibility study and business plan for the establishment of the JOF Haynes Law School.
Chairman of the CLE, Reginald Armour, SC., speaking on the sidelines of the formal opening of the CLE meetings today at the Marriott Hotel, said the study does not meet the requirements of quality assurance and curriculum as specified in the Treaty.
The study was submitted by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, SC., on July 4, while the council met with the local committee on Tuesday, where the concerns were raised. Further discussions were held this morning following the opening ceremony.
Chairman of the CLE, Regional Armour, SC.,
Earlier in the week, AG Williams expressed optimism that Guyana would receive positive feedback from the CLE on the Law School’s establishment, citing that “there is no reason why we [Guyana] should not have a law school.”
He did indicate, however, that if the need arises, Guyana would challenge a negative response at the level of the Heads of Government.
The Attorney General cited the increasing need for Guyana to have such a school, pointing to the many “horror stories” by Guyanese students studying in Trinidad.
The high tuition cost of close to $3M annually was also pointed out by the AG, who noted that when the JOF Haynes Law School is established this cost will be significantly reduced.
Ten acres of land is already allocated at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus for the school and funding of US$6M is being provided by the Joint Venture partners for construction.
On January 11, 2017, the Attorney General signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of the Caribbean (UCC) and Law College of the Americas (LCA) for the establishment of the JOF Haynes law school in Guyana.
By: Stacy Carmichael.
Image: Keno George.