THE EDITOR, Sir:
I NOTED with concern the drastic slash in the amount budgeted for the maintenance of schools. The culture of maintenance is almost alien to the public sector, so over the years we just stand by and watch our infrastructure deteriorate. For several years now the 139 Secondary High Schools have received Maintenance Grant of only $20,000 and the 16 Technical Vocational Schools in Jamaica with the new allocation will get $31,250. This at a time when the Jamaican dollar deteriorates in relation to the US dollar. In the present scenario the 17 tertiary institutions will only receive $7,647.05.
DOUBLE PRESSURE
There are 112 schools on shift, the resources of these schools will come under double pressure hence a greater priority on maintenance of the physical infrastructure and equipment.
Most of our Primary schools do not meet up to International Labour Organisation standards of clean and running water, proper ventilation, proper bathrooms and proper and adequate furniture.
The area of the granting of contracts to do repairs is sometimes part of the problem. The government should draw on the recent experiences of the schools that benefited from the Secondary School Enhancement Project. The schools did a better job of spending government funds than the contractors did. We do need to cut waste.
SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
I am suggesting to the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Culture that attempts be made to commercialise aspects of the Vocational Areas in schools, so that they can make money. Principals should be trained in "NEW PUBLIC MANAGEMENT" to develop the spirit of entrepreneurship in this undertaking.
In reading Minister Maxine Henry-Wilson's remarks in The Sunday Gleaner one gets the feeling of "juggling" here and there for funds. We will have to do much better as a nation.
The issue of parity between the traditional and the newly upgraded sector is also of critical importance. The traditional schools have over the years developed a culture of 'fee' paying so they are hardly ever short of funds. The upgraded schools on the other hand are often used as political football.
Have we lost sight of our goal to wipe out illiteracy for students leaving Grade Six by 2010? I suggest that we get all the stakeholders in education together, start the genuine dialogue and solve the problem.
I am, etc.,
HOPETON ASHFORD HENRY
hashfor@ns.jamaicagleaner.com
Via Go-Jamaica
