The Editor, Sir:

Mr. Golding's promise of free education has been getting much debate, especially over the past few days. No self respecting government should think twice about educating the populace, and having free education to the secondary level is a necessary first step.

We all know that people are the most critical resource of any country and to not adequately develop this natural resource can be catastrophic.

If we should look at some of the fastest growing countries or some of the countries with people living a high standard of life, they offer free education to the citizens. These include countries such as England, New Zealand, Australia, India, Russia. Cuba which has possibly the best health care system in the world and the best education system - 100 per cent literacy - offers free education not only to secondary level but to university level.

I would say to Mr. Golding, press on with the idea because it certainly can work. He should also contemplate offering free tuition to the university level as well.

I am etc.,

M. McCARTHY

mccarthym@vcu.edu

Winnsboro, SC

Via Go-Jamaica