FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND EDUCATION
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to carry out its core functions in 2022–23. Additionally, much of the time of the Head of Department and Coordinator of the JLU was spent in 2022–23 trying to convince the VMC and waiting for approvals for staff following meetings between the JLU Coordinator and the Campus Principal in June 2022 when it was agreed that no new students would be admitted in September 2023. Despite that decision, staff was still needed to “teach out the programme” to the students who would be continuing through 2023–2024. The Writing Centre The Writing Centre (TWC) has responsibility for supporting students and other UWI constituencies via individual coaching and group workshops. It opened late in 2022–23 due to maintenance issues which affected normal operations. As a result, only 5 weeks of coaching were possible: a total of 26 hours per week (17 hours in-person and 9 hours online). Coaching was provided by three coaches, one being a departmental awardee. The number of students who registered for Writing Centre services was significantly lower than in previous years, conceivably a Post-COVID effect and the fact that the registration fee of J$500 was reintro- duced. With its income largely dependent on contributions from Summer School and rental of space to the IELTS Centre, TWC continues to realise a small surplus annually. However, support is needed as TWC lacks resources such as computers and a mounted projector, and inadequate space is a hindrance to further growth. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Centre This Centre was established to meet the need for testing the English Language pro- ficiency of individuals who wish to live/work/study in countries in which English is a language of communication and to be the Department’s main income-gen- erating project. However, the Centre has experienced significant challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic. As increasing numbers of overseas institutions stopped requiring an IELTS score and with another IELTS provider in the Jamaican space charging a lower test fee, the Centre has been experiencing a reduction in candidates from highs of over 1200- over 1400 in 2019 to lows of just over 600 in 2022–23. It did not help that there were procedural and operational glitches and the Centre increased the Test Fee from J$36,000 to J$40,000 in January 2023 to counter an increase in British Council fee per test taker and to meet recurring expenses. The Centre managed to remain buoyant in 2022–23 thanks to the administrative team and dedicated examiners and invigilators who have been patient while the Centre has been unable to increase their payment rates.
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