This is in response to Edward Seaga's article in The Sunday Gleaner of December 14.

Dear Mr Seaga,

Thanks for your well-researched article titled 'Higher education at crossroads'. Given the crucial importance of tertiary education to the social and economic devel-opment of the nation, as the article has so clearly demonstrated, one can only hope that the Jamaican Government and the private sector will continue to work together to make the necessary funds available for funding this important social sector.

No doubt, in the current economic climate, that will be a challenge but with proper planning and the efficient allocation of financial resources in keeping with the social and economic development needs of the nation, ways can be found to make this possible.

I hope this article will not only serve to stimulate public debate among academics, policymakers in the Government and the private sector but will form the basis for your further research and discussion, in a future article maybe, on some likely solutions such as the creation of a proper financial aid system to replace the outdated Students' Loan Bureau.

I am, etc.,

NEWTON GABBIDON

New York