PLANS to establish a tertiary education commission are nearing completion, with the legislation to approve its creation expected to be ready for submission by the end of this calendar year.

This was disclosed by University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) Chairman Burchell Whiteman.

Explaining the rationale for the commission, Whiteman said it is possible for anyone to apply to the Companies Office of Jamaica for a permit to establish a tertiary institution and “there was nothing to stop that person from proceeding with it, except if the person seeks registration for recognition by the UCJ.”

“With the impending establishment of the Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission, we are expecting that this practice will be modified in some way, so that in order to declare yourself as a tertiary educational institution you would have to meet the standards that we have established and you will be given some kind of licence or permit to operate, which can be withdrawn, if there is any breach of what is there,” he said.

Whiteman pointed out that the commission has been in the pipeline for a number of years since the Education System Transformation Programme was initiated.

He said it is being established in recognition of the burgeoning tertiary education sector, so as “to provide a level of regulation, policy advice to the minister and the government and to generally protect the interest of the sector.”

“What the commission will do is to ensure that from the word ‘go’, there is some protection and direction and, particularly, policy advice for the government to operate by,” he added.

Whiteman also noted that the commission will ensure that all universities or colleges formed are consistent with the long term development goals of the education sector and country.

WHITEMAN… what the commission will do is to ensure that from the word ‘go’, there is some protection and direction