Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter

Audrey Hinchcliffe, president of Jamaica Employers' Federation, presents books to Andrew Holness, Minister of Education, after launching the 'National Employers' Month' publication at JEF's office in New Kingston on Thursday, September 13. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Education Minister Andrew Holness wants to meet as soon as possible with secondary school principals to clarify the uncertainty regarding the abolishment of cost sharing within secondary institutions.

Speaking with reporters at the end of the Jamaica Employers' Federation publication launch in New Kingston last week, Mr. Holness said the abolishment of tuition fees, promised by the new administration, also covers sixth-form level.

"We have made a commitment that we will take care of the aspects of fees for sixth form that the Government is responsible for," Mr. Holness said.

At a Gleaner Editors' Forum, held last week, principals and school administrators raised a number of questions in respect to free tuition and the funding of sixth forms.

Mr. Holness added: "There is some confusion out there regarding fees and I want to clear that up right away."

The Jamaica Labour Party Cabinet minister, who was sworn in last Friday, said that he was still unable to state a time frame for the reimbursement of tuition fees.

"I can't give you the specifics right now; I am not in the ministry as yet. But suffice to say, it would be one of the priorities to be dealt with as quickly as possible," Mr. Holness said.

At the same time, Alphansus Davis, president of the Association of Principals and Vice-principals, said at the Editors' Forum that the reimbursement of fees was expected to commence the end of October into November.

No comment

To that Mr. Holness said: "Don't want to comment on that. When I get there and see what's there, I will deal with that."

In the meantime, parents are required to pay miscellaneous fees that vary in cost among schools and may cover charges such as parent-teacher association, physical education gear and the school development fund.

"Clearly, Jamaica would love to do that (offer free education totally), but we are not in a position to do that. But we made a commitment to advance the call of free education as we are able to do it, and we say we are able to remove the tuition fee," Mr. Holness said.