The Editor, Sir:

In reference to September 26, 2006 article about 17,000 non-certified want-to-be-teachers in the classroom, I advise the teachers to write the Ministry of Education and the Prime Minister because you no longer want substandard teaching for your children. Children learn from the examples. If the person teaching speaks 'bush', students will learn the same. Nothing changes and the dysfunction continues because children live what they learn.

I lived in Jamaica from 1990-1995. I was denied a government teaching position because I was 'over qualified' with three American diplomas in Education, which told me that Jamaica powers that be do not want better for the children. Because I was more educated than the interviewer, I was denied the opportunity to serve the poorer government-schooled children of the Montego Bay area. Later I accepted a position in a private school. In all my time in Jamaica, I met one degreed Jamaican person in all my social interactions.

Education is a great international commodity. Parents, do not be afraid to ask the person you pay to educate your child, "Do you have a first degree/diploma"? And why isn't it displayed? God Bless the Jamaican children!

I am, etc.,

Mrs. LEE

snbamom@aol.com

Columbus, Ohio