The Editor, Sir:

Currently, education at the primary level for government-run schools in Jamaica is relatively affordable, yet how many of these students perform well enough so that they can attend a 'name brand' school, for example Immaculate or Campion? Which category of students (majority) comprises the student population of these said 'name brand' schools? From which schools do the majority of students who do well in CSEC and other external exams come from? In the United States of America, from which schools do children entering Ivy League colleges/universities originate?

My point is, attaining a good education, in addition to hard work, generally costs an private schools (preparatory) may not be better than public schools (primary), they tend to do better academically because, not only can they be more selective in terms of the teachers they employ, they can also pay them better because of a higher tuition fee.

The only way quality education can be free for the majority of Jamaicans is if the people of Jamaica are willing to bear all the associated costs involved in making this worthwhile venture possible. That is, more schools resulting in reduced class size, substantial remuneration for our overworked teachers and improved infrastructure, just to name a few. Are Jamaicans really prepared to accept this cost? Believe it or not, nothing is free and the advocates of free education are making empty promises, just as how it is only a matter of time before the free health benefits to children crumble.

Some of the individuals who are clamouring for free education, in my opinion do not really value education as evidenced by their preference for spending money on fancy hairdos, clothes and shoes. Should the people of Jamaica be forced to pay for their disregard of their children's welfare?

How about those students whose parents make the sacrifice and find the school fees, yet they still underperform because they are lazy and worthless? Is it fair for the Jamaican people to pay for their own lack of concern about their welfare? I think not.

What I think would be more useful would be for the Government and the PSOJ to offer:

More assistance to students who are interested in learning and because of valid reasons cannot attend school.

More opportunities for educated/qualified individuals to find jobs and introduce mentorship/apprenticeship programmes

More scholarships to individuals who would like to seek higher education and more CSEC subjects, a first degree, and so on.

I am, etc.,

JULLIA FISHER

julfish@cwjamaica.com

Greater Portmore, St. Catherine