In your Tuesday's issue, I read with much concern the news report on 'Reviewing the GSAT model'. Who are the persons making the decision to set up this Alternative Secondary Education Programme (ASEP)?

Could the Jamaican citizens get a chance to add their voices? Are children going to be embarrassed because they are sent to 'dunce' school? And who are these children who will not pass the literacy test? This ASEP has more questions than answers.

I lamented bitterly when the PNP government changed all schools to high schools. Was that a vote-catching policy for poor people to believe that all children are going to high school?

My important question is: Where is the JTA (Jamaica Teachers Association) in all of this educational see-saw? Does it only wake up at salary negotiation times? Are our valued teachers in Jamaica, who place the technocrats where they are today, get a chance to make suggestions?

Technical and vocational schools

Jamaica needs technical and vocational schools where our students learn practical skills, motor mechanic and driving schools, where they learn road courtesies. With a certificate they do not have to buy their driver's licences and they can join the police force. This curriculum will include basic mathematics and practical English.

The spin-off from this model will not make students feel embarrassed that they are ASEP students. The truth is they might well hire some workers later, who had passed the Grade Four Literacy Test.

I am, etc.,

Eugena Robinson

r_eugena@yahoo.com

Port Maria

St Mary