The Editor, Sir:

After an extensive campaign on free education and the numerous debates surrounding its implementation, many of us, including myself, are happy that the policy fell through.

While parents welcome the move to the ease the burden to finance their child's education, I don't think it is conducive with the Government's long-term goals, and this I hoped was to create an atmosphere that will stimulate education and consequently contribute to transforming the education system.

Free education by itself is not enough. It is not even a positive step if the Government doesn't take into consideration other integral components such as a comfortable environment that promotes learning. Other vital components that presently need attention are access to suitable educational facilities and equipment so teachers and students have the material support to foster education to the optimum level.

Finally, but most importantly, the Government needs to act swiftly to get our teachers qualified to perform the job they are supposed to do. We also need to look at how we compensate our teachers. It doesn't make any sense we push to get them qualified to take up employment overseas.

The Government needs to pull all the components together to get the right remedy. It is important that we rethink the free-education policy, as it is a vital process in reforming the education sector.

I am, etc.,

CONREY HANSON

conreyhanson@yahoo.com

Scotia Visionaries

University of Technology, Jamaica

Via Go-Jamaica