With the 2027 Budget Presentation just three days away, the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago hosted its Youth Budget Talks, titled Fiscal 2026 in Review, moderated by Independent Senator Francis Lewis.
Five former Youth Parliamentarians shared their perspectives on the country’s progress over the past fiscal year and their expectations for the year ahead.
Among them was Avinash Manack, who highlighted the growing challenges and uncertainties posed by artificial intelligence.
“We see now we have a greater percentage of individuals who are NEET – not in employment, not in education, and not in training – and I think with the creation of AI, traditional forms of education are no longer the way to go. We need to now change our approach and to basically have an ability and avenue to trade because that seems to be one of the few jobs AI can’t really have a grasp on currently.”
Meanwhile, panellists Surav Roopnarine and Sheyan Wade turned their attention to the education sector, arguing that access to funding through the GATE programme should be subject to stricter evaluation.
“I think we need to reassess the efficiency and affectability of the means test system in order to ensure that equitable access to education is available.”
“I know this might be controversial, but I personally do know people who are incredibly well-off, and this is a system that they would exploit, and they have 100% GATE funding when they definitely do not need that. So now resources are being put behind people who do not need it, while there are persons who are struggling to fund their education.”
Another proposal raised during the discussion was the need to diversify the economy through tourism.
The Fiscal Year 2027 National Budget will be presented in the House of Representatives by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo on Monday, October 12th.