THE EDITOR, Sir:

I strongly believe that the progressive and intellectual approach of our citizens has somewhat been been achieved and maintained through education. If we should take a good look in the region, we will see the alarming fact that we Jamaicans are not as outstanding among other Caribbean counterparts as we once were. On the contrary, that is not what hard-working taxpayers are desirous of.

With regards to violence, I can see where we have gained international recognition. With reference to marketability and production of goods and services, we are not reigning as supreme, but rather parallel to our neighbouring colleagues.

Hence, I strongly support the proposition that it should be a constitutional right for our citizens out there in the workforce to be given the time and opportunity to further their education. Too often, we see where people have to put their goals on hold because they are not given the chance to go to evening school or to college part time.

I believe this is unconstitutional and dehumanising for hard-working members of the workforce who have the potential to enhance their education to facilitate a promotion or better wages. This could raise the bar of economic status for our citizenry. People could be better able to facilitate their children's education and, as a consequence of this, enhance the marketability of our youths on a global scale and, by extension, improve our total human resources.

This will be beneficial to us all and also redirect the thinking of the elite of society who blame the instigation of criminal activity on the lack of education. The very hard-working citizens are out there in the fields and could have been more resourceful and productive, but their bosses would not allow them to further their education. This encourages a breeding ground for ignorance and arrogance.

I am, etc.,

Barrington L. Thompson

Sr.,

Trinityville P.O.

St. Thomas