THE EDITOR, Sir:

An examination of the cost for transportation between a rural and a city high school student in Jamaica will show a glaring disparity. It's my understanding that it costs approximately $20 per trip for a student to travel on the bus in Kingston to school, but in certain areas in rural Jamaica, a student will spend more than $100 per trip! The cost for transportation these rural parents incur to send their children to high school is too much for most to handle. To bring some sort of parity to the system, a voucher distribution to help these needy parents in the rural areas should be implemented.

There was a time when someone from the corridor between Kendal and Stonehenge could depend on the rail system to get their children to school. Now a student attending Maggoty High School from Ipswich must travel a much longer distance at incredible cost to get to school. It was the Government's decision to close the rail system, therefore it is their responsibility to find the solution to help these students.

As we face the start of a new school year and the rumbling of a general election reaches within earshot, this question must be asked of those who want to represent these constituencies: 'How will you make a difference for the future of our children?' The dream must be kept alive by giving them the best chance in life with a quality education that is affordable.

I am, etc.,

RAY G. STENNETT

ray4rs2000@aol.com

PO Box 809

Larchmont, NY

Via Go-Jamaica