THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE TIME has finally come for Jamaica to dismantle the vestige of colonial education. Only the marketplace should decide what programmes are offered and the accompanying costs, thereby fostering an environment of competition and diversity in tertiary education. In the 21st century globalisation demands competition, so 20th century practices are just not good enough.

The direction of tertiary education should not be left up to elitist academicians who are determined to maintain the status quo. Any reform and expansion of legal education in Jamaica must exclude Norman Manley Law School as the only option in becoming a lawyer. This would give the University of the West Indies an unfair advantage over its competitors and would be counter productive to the objectives of competition and diversity.

Liberalise legal education

With the University of Technology and the University of London already offering legal education; and Northern Caribbean University and the University College of the Caribbean to introduce similar offerings, it is incumbent upon Government to finally liberalise legal education in Jamaica. Nobody knows for sure the true economic cost to train our upcoming lawyers. However, with competition the marketplace will make that determination.

The following are my recommendations to ensure reform, expansion, diversity, competition and quality in legal education in Jamaica:

1) All institutions of higher learning offering legal education in Jamaica must be accredited by the University Council of Jamaica for quality assurance.

2) Each institution is responsible to fully train their law students.

3) A bar/licensing examination must be developed and must be objective and independent of these training institutions. Examples: Nursing, GSAT, CXC, GCE, CAPE

4) All law students must sit and pass this examination before a licence is granted to practise law in Jamaica.

These are broad recommendations and, if they are adopted could improve the delivery of high-quality tertiary education in Jamaica.

I am, etc.,

Witford Reid, MD

Board Certified Anaesthesiologist

heartlandpain@embarqmail.com

Florida, USA