THE EDITOR, Sir:
AMERICAN EDUCATOR Dr. Thelma Thompson has called for the inclusion of social and religious values, as well as a character-building component in Jamaica's education system, as a prerequisite for the effective working of democracy.
"There is no more urgent a task in this country," said Dr. Thompson, who is president of the US-based University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She was addressing a banquet to launch the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) Endowment Foundation held recently at the Hilton Kingston Hotel.
She advised that while accepting the expensive challenge of high technology, faith-based institutions, like NCU, must also attend to the low-tech needs of humanity, through social and religious engagements.
She commended the administration of NCU on developing a strategic plan to expand the university's facilities over the next 10 years at a projected cost of US$50 million.
Dr. Thompson suggested that faith-based institutions, such as NCU, which is operated by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, are best suited to offer the kind of education that, in her view, the society urgently needs.
I am, etc.,
B. BUCKLEY
BBuckley@ncu.edu.jm
