THE EDITOR, Sir:

LET ME first offer sincere congratulations to the new Jamaica Labour Party government with the will of the Jamaican people and an amicable and justified Opposition which will open its doors to a new breed of thinking and philosophy to carry it over to the modern and developed world.

With the school year opened, 'schoolers' are expecting a rejuvenation in the learning and teaching environment. The People's National Party was anticipating to do so, but was, however, eclipsed on the night of September 3.

Students of all walks of life especially the youths (up to 18) need every ounce of an educational benefit programme to ease the pressures off their parents or guardians. Whether the education is classified or should be classified as 'free' is a reality check. Students, in my humble opinion, cannot afford to pay anything except bus fares (which sometimes is more expensive than the school fees themselves).

By God's grace, our educational system is on par with most developing countries. To achieve a greater and efficient output of academic and well-rounded excellence, our high schools should be reinforced to ensure that students, especially those who are disadvantaged, should be able to come to school free.

I am, etc.,

JOHN CAMPBELL

12 Watson Avenue

Kingston 5