Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Opposition spokesman on Education, Andrew Holness, says the Government should reconsider paying the fees for students to sit four subjects in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, formerly known as CXC.

Mr. Holness said the performance of students at the CSEC level has been poor to date.

The Government has been paying the fees for students who sit CSEC mathematics, English language, information technology and a science subject, since 2002.

"There needs to be more debate on whether it (paying the fees for students) is an efficient way of spending money," he told The Gleaner yesterday.

This money, Mr. Holness said, could be better spent on providing more direct subsidy to needy students.

The Government also pays the fee for students sitting the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), which is equivalent to the GCE Advanced Level.

Government spent $58.4 million between 2003 and 2004 to assist 23,013 children with CSEC examination fees for the four subjects.

This year's CSEC results are expected to be released this week.

Urges review of cost-sharing

Meanwhile, Mr. Holness is urging the Ministry of Education and Youth to review the cost-sharing programme, with a view of reducing school fees or making education free for all.

At present the Government pays half the tuition fee for all students at the secondary level. However, students on the Programme for Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) and wards of the state attend school free of cost.