The St. James based Western Hospitality Institute came under scrutiny at yesterday‘s (July 28) meeting of Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee, PAAC over millions of dollars, allegedly paid to the institution under the Occupational Associate Degree Programme.

The school is one of several institutions that partners with the Education Ministry to provide training under the Career Advancement Programme, CAP and the Occupational Associate Degree Programme, through the Centre of Occupational Studies.

Opposition committee member, Fitz Jackson pointed out, that the Western Hospitality Institute continues to be the recipient, of the largest percentage of government funding under the programme, despite other well established community colleges being on the list.

Mr. Jackson pointed out that some of the other institutions under the programme, only got a fraction of the millions that were handed over to Western Hospitality Institute.

In responding to the concerns, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Education Ministry, Dr. Grace Mclean, said institutions were never prevented from recruiting students for the programme.

Since 2017, the Western Hospitality Institute has received $118,560,000 in tuition support, for the Occupational Associate Degree Programme.