The Editor, Sir:

The JLP's plan for free education is much more far-sighted that the free health care announced by the Prime Minister. We perceive a situation where our nation's children will be given the tools to equip themselves which will not just benefit them but the entire country. We envision a Jamaica where people are employed and employable. Such individuals will be able to provide their own food, be a part of the job creation process, be less inclined to be involved in violent crimes and other criminal activities born out of frustration. We believe that if we educate our people they will ultimately be able to provide their own health care.

We talk about dismantling garrison constituencies, yet we fail to see the reality between unemployed, uneducated people with guns and the phenomenon of the garrison. How likely is it that a politician could give a gun to a graduate from Campion High School or Wolmer's Boys' School or $500 to vote for him?

Jamaica cannot afford to continue down a path where a large cross section of our populace is uneducated and another large segment under-educated. We fail to remember that, despite our success in track and field and reggae music, we still need to compete intellectually on the world stage. How can we be partners in CARICOM with countries like Barbados and Trinidad which not only provide free education to the secondary level, but also to the tertiary level? Is it any wonder that their economy is better than ours?

Generation 2000 is calling on all well-thinking Jamaicans to take a dispassionate look at this issue. It is time we all remove our partisan-coloured glasses and look at what is best for our country. Not because the JLP has suggested it should it mean that the PNP must reject it. This issue is bigger than both political parties. This relates to our future and the future of our children.

The question has never been can we afford free education; rather, it is, can we afford not to.

I am, etc.,

HAROLD BRUCE MALCOLM

bruce_26@hotmail.com

Publications' Director

Generation 2000

20 Belmont Road

Kingston

Via Go-Jamaica