The Editor, Sir:

First of all let me say congratulations to the Prime Minister of Jamaica - Bruce Golding, and members of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

I am really encouraged by the way the Jamaican electorate has finally decided to hold our new government to the promises that they have made.

Free education is very important, and can only work if implemented in the right way.

While I am not an expert on the subject, I can only speak from my experience for the short time I have been here in Barbados.

I have seen where the masses having access to education, can empower the country to achieve the goals that it would have set out to achieve.

Benefit all

Whether you are JLP or a member of the People's National Party (PNP), I am very annoyed whenever a proposal is made and the only energy expelled is to say why it won't work. When human beings get together in the pursuit of one common goal, it is proven that the goal is realised.

If we stop to think about those who can afford it , saying that they should pay, then we are entertaining prejudices. An educated society redounds to the benefit of us all.

Everyone should have access to free education, but in order for free education to work there has to be a number of things put in place.

The nation must be told why free education is being pursued and why everyone has to get on board.

Time should be set aside to have a one-on-one with parents to garner their support for the programme.

Head teachers should reintroduce the core values of their schools to the students, and ensure that the student body identifies with them. The enforcement of school rules should be done in a way that will instil pride in the student body for being a part of the institution.

The zero-tolerance approach should be left as a last resort; children need to be given a second or even a third chance to complete their education.

The private sector needs to get on board with a proper school feeding programme that takes breakfast into consi-deration. If something is at school to eat, then I would rather be there than stay at home hungry.

Legislation would have to be passed in regard to attendance, and the full weight of the law brought to bear on delinquent parents.

These are but a few recommendations that will enable the future of Jamaica to be on the right path.

I am, etc.,

DALE MYRIE

dalemyrie@yahoo.com

St. Philip, Barbados

Via Go-Jamaica