THE ISSUE of free education is coming to the forefront again and it should because we are going through an economic crisis. But shouldn't there be a criterion to receive free education?

Yes, students should be required to work for free education. Too many are not making use of it. Students from grades seven to nine do about 11 subjects each year. Why not have them pass at least seven subjects or get at least 50 per cent average in non-traditional high schools and 60 per cent in traditional at the end of the school year for them to access free education?

The students in grade 10, since they do less subjects, would follow the same criterion, but they would need to pass at least five subjects to get free education.

Benefits of hard work

Students need to know the benefit of working hard. When things are given away free, they do not appreciate it. There is a proposal that teachers and principals be paid by perfor-mance. Therefore, why not let the students be pressured to work a little harder to access free education. I know their parents would insist that they do.

It is time that we tap into the students' true potential. Our students have the ability to do much better. Let us not stifle them.

I am, etc.,

S. Williams

rosewilliams.2006@yah.com

St Ann