Opposition Spokesman on Education Andrew Holness yesterday moved to clarify the position of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) on free education.

He stated that the JLP was not proposing total free education, but rather a tuition-free education.

Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Rotary Club of St. Andrew at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, Mr. Holness explained that the fee the JLP referred to was the obligatory Government charge which ranges from $5,500 to $8,500. This fee, he said, should be removed.

"There is no way, shape or form that the Jamaican Government, at this stage of our development as a Third-World country, a developing country, could afford that sort of education (totally free)," Mr. Holness stressed.

The Opposition spokesman also defended statements that the JLP was copying the ruling People's National Party (PNP) by attempting to implement free education by pointing out that the proposal was made by former Prime Minister Sir Alexander Bustamante in 1944.

"The JLP's position is not different now than it was more than 50 years ago, so we are not copying the People's National Party in this instance," he said.

According to Mr. Holness, increased funding for education would be generated by increasing the efficiency of the Government and cutting the Ministry of Local Government.

Local Government, he said, does not need a central authority in order for it to operate.