The Editor, Sir:

I find the editorial on the subsidy to the University of West Indies interesting, but it would have been even better if it included information on graduates from all tertiary institutions to paint a more comprehensive picture of the total number, professions and qualifications of tertiary graduates entering the Jamaican job market. Why not include the profile of the graduates from NCU, UTech, UCC, and the many others? It would be good to see what proportion of the estimated 55,000 secondary school leavers who eventually go on to tertiary education each year and what they are studying and graduating with.

My guess is that the numbers are relatively small and are heavily in non-technical courses of study. I would like to see at least 60 per cent or roughly 30,000 secondary school leavers moving straight into two- to six- year programmes of studies that will occupy their minds and bodies for more productive and creative uses.

I am one in favour of the GOJ skewing its funding support towards more secondary school leavers going on to study the sciences, math, engineering and technology. The time is begging for GOJ to set up a dedicated ministry of tertiary education and training (or workforce development) that will properly handle the planning and administration of the many tertiary institutions and programmes that have sprung up in Jamaica in the last 20 years. There is an urgent need to match production with demand not only in numbers, but also quality of graduates.

I am, etc.,

MILTON MARAGH

miltonmaragh@yahoo.com