THE EDITOR: Sir
IN THE Sunday Gleaner of January 11th, I see where basic schools are struggling. So the government is still having very serious problems with the issue of Early Childhood Education.
If the basics can't be met for a child's basic education, then we will continue to lose generations of young people to illiteracy, and all the other negative variables of indiscipline, dishonesty and crime, which are now plaguing our society.
Education and good health should not be a privilege but should be top priority. Every Jamaican child is ours and should all be equal. There is too much bias, between government-run basic schools, and those controlled by communities. All children should be recognised equally. This represents apartheid within our education system - a two-tiered method, where one set receives and the other is left out. Playing with and being ignorant of the lives, health, education and well-being of these young people will have grave consequences. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Our non-performing politicians receive a hefty pay increase, even though our economy is in recession, but only scrimping and pittance can be scrounge to educate our young people. It is the right of every Jamaican to have a good education. So these regional education offices are either inadequate, not stretching their tentacles deep into rural Jamaica, as some of these schools have got lost in the system.
When we Jamaicans see our overtaxed dollars either going to waste, or disappearing through thievery or mismanagement, it bleeds our hearts, to know that even a small per cent of those monies could make a difference, between a child being educated, or turning to crime because of illiteracy.
I am, etc.,
TREVOR RADWAY
Knapdale District
Brown's Town PO.
