THE EDITOR, Sir:
THERE IS a terrific disparity in the quality of education available to Jamaica's children.
Beyond the use of 'ominous echoes', 'discredited ideology', 'misguided concept of egalitarianism' and other distracting language, your editorial (August 24, 2003) has given important attention to this condition. Significant, but only secondary, is your concern that a solution supposedly being mulled by the Education Minister is a retreat to retrograde policies that is to be nipped in the bud.
BETTERING THE SYSTEM
Without having to agree with any particular solution, every conscientious Jamaican should be challenging the status quo of education in Jamaica. For those interested in bettering the system, consider this for the road ahead:
"There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things. Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and only lukewarm defenders among those who may do well under the new."
To the Gleaner's editorial board, I encourage you in your responsibility to help smoke out the wayward motives of our leaders when you detect such. Do not undermine this responsibility by spangling otherwise thoughtful editorials with polarising, incendiary language.
I am etc.,
SHELDON LYN
sllyn@yahoo.com
Lacovia P.O.,
St. Elizabeth
Via Go-Jamaica.
