The feasibility study that the Guyana Government did into establishing a local law school here was deemed deficient by the Council of Legal Education (CLE) President Reginald Armour.
He noted this on the sidelines of the ceremonial opening of the CLE meeting at the Marriott Hotel on Friday.
The report and business plan were submitted weeks ago by Guyana’s Government.
Armour explained that a subcommittee looked at the report. However, he revealed that the study does not sufficiently address concerns regarding quality assurance and the curriculum.
“A subcommittee has looked at that feasibility study. We’ve met with the Government of Guyana feasibility study committee. We did that (earlier) this week. We’ve expressed certain concerns we have, to do with the fact that the feasibility study does not sufficiently address quality assurance, curriculum and the proposal of a school at the moment is not compliant with our treaty,” Armour said.
“And we’ve asked the Government of Guyana to do some work and come back to us. They’ve agreed to that. I’ll be discussing that with Council this morning and out of that decision from Council, I expect the most that will happen is that we’ll fix a timetable to continue discussions with the Government of Guyana.”
Armour assured that territories in the Caribbean region are not necessarily barred from establishing their own law schools. But he noted that it’s another matter when the Council has to give its approval.
“There’s nothing to exclude any country from having a law school. If they then come to the Council of legal education and say would you approve our law school, we then have to do a number of quality assurances and curriculum monitoring tests to ensure it reaches the standard that we adhere to. (But) all possibilities exist and that’s what we’re discussing this morning.”
It was only a few days ago, ahead of Guyana’s hosting of the three-day meeting of the CLE, that Attorney General Basil Williams had given all assurances that the path was cleared for the establishment of a local law school in Guyana.
President Granger who gave the feature address at the ceremony, meanwhile noted the crucial role of the Council of Legal Education.
But he reminded the attendees of the need to improve access to legal education throughout the region, including Guyana.
