Sturge: MiLAT suspended, not closed

by Akash Samaroo 

Defence Minister Wayne Sturge says the Military-Led Academic Training (MiLAT) Programme has not been closed but temporarily suspended as the Government reviews its future, amid mounting criticism that the move could leave vulnerable young men without a critical support system. 

The programme’s suspension has sparked concern over the future of almost 200 trainees and approximately 50 staff members, with reports that facilitators have been told their contracts will not be renewed. 

Responding to questions from Guardian Media today, Sturge insisted the programme remained under review. 

“The programme has not been shut down but temporarily suspended,” he said. 

Sturge said the Government was engaged in discussions with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Reserves and the Ministry of Tertiary Education to determine the programme’s future. 

“We are in ongoing discussions with TTDF Reserves as well as Minister of Tertiary Education with a view to restructuring the programme as it is not economically viable in its present form.” 

He said the Government hoped to complete the restructuring quickly but did not say exactly when it would resume. 

“We hope to restructure in the shortest possible time so as to facilitate the remaining Form 4 cohort.” 

Asked by Guardian Media what the restructuring would involve, including whether there would be a smaller intake, fewer teachers, how soon the programme would resume, and whether it would continue under the MiLAT name, Sturge declined to provide specifics. 

“All of these questions will be answered closer to the end of July,” he said. 

Sturge also rejected Opposition claims that suspending the programme would contribute to rising crime. 

“The narrative that closure of the program may lead to an increase in crime and criminality is a trademark scare tactic of the Opposition,” he said. 

He argued that despite MiLAT’s existence, Trinidad and Tobago experienced record levels of violent crime over the past decade. 

“This program has been in place for some time now, yet we saw unprecedented increases in violent crime, particularly record murder rates in the last 10 years. We understand the value of such programs, but we do not subscribe to the hype created by the Opposition.” 

Established in 2007, MiLAT is a residential social intervention programme designed for at-risk youth aged 16 to 20. Operating in a structured, quasi-military environment, it combines behavioural development with academic instruction, preparing participants for Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and vocational training. 

The programme received a budget allocation of $27.4 million in the 2024/2025 fiscal year. That allocation fell to $18.7 million in the 2025/2026 Estimates of Expenditure.