Not termite time
The world economy has slowed since last year and Jamaica is one country that had been set back by not only Hurricane Dean but also volcanic economic policies practised before. I would like to tell Jamaicans that you are not alone, cooking gas in the UK has increased by 14 per cent, food prices are shooting up like the guns in Jamaica and the stock market is shaking like jingle bells.
What the UK and other countries have are solid economies built by experience and sensible practitioners and not like some jokers that (maybe some pokers too) we have in Gordon House. Jamaica is suffering from the termite of inflation for which the foundation was laid several years ago when one Dr 'D' took was in charge.
What we need now is strong leadership and a person who can take hard decisions in order to bring back prosperity to our country. Jamaicans will have to brace themselves for some very hard times in the coming months, but thank God that we have a captain who has no time to entertain termites.
- Craig Davis, ccraig73yahoo.com
Education problem
The educational system in Jamaica will never be improved until we address the root cause or inefficiencies of its problems. Never in the history of Jamaica were there so many seminars and educational workshops for teachers and sometimes parents convened, than what we are having today, and the reports and the results of our students at the national level leave so much to be desired. Its useless for anyone to scuff at the CXC passes when the problem stems from the basic to at least the Grade three level.
It should be mandatory that if the child cannot master the grade three level then that child should never move on to grade four to await the literacy and numeracy test 'rubbish' start the remedial work where it matters most between grades two and three. If the child cannot master the grade three work why send that child to a higher grade? We need to get it right. The grade four Literacy test should not be the benchmark to provide remedial attention. At the grade four level students should be mastering all those concepts in the various subjects possible, to prepare them for the GSAT, hence mastering the secondary level, equalling better passes at the CXC level.
- Rose Graham, rosegrathom@yahoo.com
Bail conditions
Something is wrong with the bail and the bail conditions set out in our tax laws. How is it that the bail for tax violators, who owe the government millions of dollars in taxes, is set at only $50,000 each? This low bail is a reason why we see more people not paying their tax. Bail for these tax violators should be stringent and set to at least, $10 million.
In addition to a high bail a stop order should be automatically placed on them so they cannot leave the country, except with the permission of the tax court after a hearing. I am sure if bail was set very high with strict conditions it will have a deterrent effect on would-be tax cheat.
- Authnel Reid, authnelreid@optonline.net, Middlesex NJ, Via Go-Jamaica
