The Editor, Sir:

Aubyn Hill is going down the right track when he proposes training people for 'export'. But he does not go far enough.

No Government of Jamaica has either (a) sat down long enough to decide on the kind of education curriculum that would produce the kind of student for all of Jamaica's needs, to the point where everyone will have a job, or (b) been able to provide jobs for all the graduates of our schools and colleges and universities.

Paying training costs

It costs to train these students. It costs the Jamaican taxpayer. And then in come the British, the Canadians and the Americans, waving a fistful of dollars and pounds to get them to go to work in those metropolitan countries.

The missing element here is this: Jamaica should be insisting that the training costs in Jamaica be paid by these wealthy metropolitan countries and not the Jamaican taxpayer. Of course, it will take courage for the Government to openly admit that it cannot find jobs for all its people, but that is a long-standing and well-known fact.

So, good idea, Mr Hill. It just needs this important refining. Since we cannot employ and, therefore, feed all of them, let us arrange another outlet for them. But let the metropolitan consumers pay.

I am, etc.,

EWART WALTERS

spectrum@storm.ca

Ottawa, Ontario

Canada

Via Go-Jamaica