THE EDITOR, Sir:
A SENIOR Minister of Government recently made a statement in reference to young men in his constituency to the effect that most of them between the ages of 18 and 27 were unemployable, illiterate and irredeemable.
I consider this a most profound statement to have been made by a senior Minister of Government.
I think that it is the responsibility of Government to ensure that the children born in Jamaica have opportunities to learn and become literate and have opportunities to grow and be worthwhile citizens in Jamaica.
When one considers that the government of which this Minister is a part came to power when some of these young men were three or four years old and ripe for moulding, then I think that the Government must bear a significant part of the burden of their failure to achieve. What then of all children born since 1989 who are not yet at the age of 18? Are there any reasons to believe that they will end up any better than the set of current 18-year-olds?
We must realise that the child born in the Victoria Jubilee Hospital yesterday comes into this world with no less potential than the child born in Tokyo, Japan. Yet it is quite possible that the child born in Tokyo, in 18 years will be making computers while the one born in Victoria Jubilee may end up just like the ones about whom the Minister spoke. What or who is to be blamed? At the same time could the Minister please say what is the solution in this instance?
I hope the Minister can answer.
I am, etc.,
JEROME HENRY
Highgate P.O.
St. Mary
