THE EDITOR, Sir:

'Free Education' to many parents sounds like a fantastic idea and many voters are buying into this idea, but has anyone thought about the consequences of implementing such a concept? Obviously, if the parents aren't paying for their child's or children's education, the Government will be, but where is the money going to come from?

The Jamaica Labour Party has stated that it will allocate one billion dollars in the budget to pay for education if it wins the next election. But still, where is this money coming from? We may have to borrow it and that means our approximate 950-billion dollar debt will be increased; also, tax and GCT may also increase and be placed on products that were at first exempt in order for us to pay off this debt. Also, as the years go by and the number of children increases, the money allocated for this 'free education' will also increase and so will the national debt, tax, and so on. Then all of a sudden, people will realise that 'free education' is not so free after all.

As far as I'm concerned, if so many years have passed and there are parents who are willing to pay for education, then let them. And for those who can't or don't, the government should inform them of the cost-sharing programme and maybe there will be a chance that paying for education will become less of a problem. But for now, let the idea of 'free education' in Jamaica remains a fantasy.

I am, etc.,

SHELLY

vendigilda@hotmail