THE EDITOR, Sir:

Please give me a small space in your column to suggest to those persons making Christmas (bonus) payments to employees at the end of the year that they do so in two parts, with the first coming in August.

My idea came out of the reality that faces most parents during back-to-school preparations each year. I also suggest the August payment be made sometime after the 10th.

I am quite aware that the Christmas bonus does not involve all the people who have back-to-school expenses, but they who are not within the Christmas bonus, but receiving some benefits outside the back-to-school period could have theirs at that time also.

The true meaning of back-to-school is not getting the right approach from most parents at the right time; last minute shopping is not healthy for the true value of our children's education. For our children cannot learn well without the proper tools, books, and other things that foster learning.

Let us also think about the services provided by the school that cost money, the parents have to help and shoulder some of those expenses on time, so the school can be ready for each school year.

So parents, take positive steps and pay your children's back-to-school expenses on time and let your children, and teachers have a pleasant school year (2008) and beyond.

I am, etc.,

J.A. Bailey

Dalvey PO

St Thomas