The Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training (MTEST) has welcomed the approval of supplementary allocations totalling nineteen million, eight hundred thousand dollars($19,800,000.) to facilitate outstanding salary-related payments and statutory obligations for staff of The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT). The approved funding reflects Government’s commitment to supporting the tertiary education sector and ensuring that employees receive payments due to them in a timely and equitable manner.
An allocation of thirteen million dollars ($13,000,000.) was approved under Sub-Head 04 – Current Transfers and Subsidies to facilitate retroactive payments in arrears to academic and senior administrative staff represented by the West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT) at the Global Campus and University Centre units of UWI. These payments cover the periods 1 August 2014 to 31 July 2017 and 1 August 2017 to 31 July 2020. A total of 56 employees at UWI are expected to benefit from these retroactive payments.
Additionally, a further six million, eight hundred thousand dollars($6,800,000.) was approved under Sub-Head 06 – Current Transfers to Statutory Boards and Similar Bodies to support the payment of gratuity and statutory obligations for staff of COSTAATT. This allocation also facilitates salary increases approved for the period 2012 to 2018, which were implemented in April 2026. At COSTAATT, 326 employees will benefit from the approved salary increases, while 82 members of staff will benefit from gratuity payments and related statutory obligations.
Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, Senator Professor Emeritus the Honourable Prakash Persad, welcomed the approval, noting that the allocations demonstrate Government’s commitment to the people who contribute daily to the advancement of tertiary education and skills development. “The dedicated professionals who serve within our tertiary education institutions are integral to national development and workforce readiness. These allocations represent the Government’s commitment to honouring its obligations to employees while strengthening the institutions that help shape Trinidad and Tobago’s future.” The Ministry notes that the supplementary appropriations underscore Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the tertiary education sector, support institutional stability and enhance the welfare of employees who contribute to teaching, research, innovation and student success.
Through continued investment in its people and institutions, MTEST remains focused on building a skilled, competitive and future-ready workforce capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy.