The Editor, Sir:

As a historian, one of my main objectives is to remember facts. I want to remind Andrew Holness of the JLP, spokesman for education of what his party did to Jamaica's education system in the 1980s.

My uncle who is now living in Tamworth, England attended Clarendon College in the 1960s. As a result of the education he received in the 1960s he is now a Senior Immigration Officer with the Home Office in England. He gained his Masters degree from Oxford University.

My sister and I attended James Hill Primary School in Clarendon. I remember almost every Friday with other children being given milk powder and Bulga rice to take home. As troublesome kids we ate the milk powder before we reached home. What happened after eating the milk powder is left to your imagination. I remember being given exercise books that had the pictures of our National Heroes on the cover. As children we were very exicited to receive these books. My grandparents, Nerissa and Ronald Pinnock, did not have to worry about buying our uniforms for every new school year. We were provided with the most expensive khaki and blue tunic cloth. We attended primary school without paying any fees at all. It was in other ways totally free.

While attending Edwin Allen High School in Frankfield in the 1980s we started to pay school fees. If you did not pay this fee we would be given a letter notifying your parents that they had to pay up by a certain time. I am sure that these letters frustrated many parents. My grandparents had to sell their pigs in order to pay school fees.

Let me remind Mr Holness that it was the JLP government in the 80s that introduced university fees. I am sure he remembers the numerous demonstrations that were staged by students all over Jamaica.

The JLP does not have a clear policy on education, but they are the first ones to beat down the cost -sharing programme introduced by the PNP government.

Mr. Holness you are young but not seemingly bright. If you care for the children of West Central St. Andrew you would be supportive of this programme. My last word to you is to use your skills to find out the truth. Love Jamaica.

I am, etc.,

WAYNE SIMMONDS

nerron714@hotmail.com

Edinburgh, Scotland

Via Go-Jamaica