The Editor, Sir:

While I agree with Peter Espeut (Gleaner, June 20) that the education system is failing, he, like many others, has managed to outline the many problems and failures but no solutions.

The previous week, Mr. Espeut attributed the failing education system to the number of school days per year. He said that the Government's plan to add five school days to the existing 190 was a step in the right direction since this would move us closer to the 225 school days that First World countries such as Switzerland and Japan have. Mr. Espeut also made mention of Jamaica's inability to teach 50 per cent of children to read while Trinidad and Barbados are able to boast 97 and 98 per cent literacy, even though, like Jamaica, they have a history of colonisation. But did you know that Trinidad and Barbados, like Jamaica, have 190 days of school per year? Doesn't this mean that Jamaica's failing education runs deeper than the number of school days per year? What are countries like Trinidad and Barbados doing to ensure 97 and 98 per cent literacy? Why can't Jamaica follow suit?

I am, etc.,

TENNISHA MORRIS

Kingston 17