The Editor, Sir:

It is commendable that our new government, spearheaded by Education Minister Andrew Holness, finds it necessary to pay special attention to our secondary-school system.

When one considers the ludicrous things that have happened to our school system where gross overcrowding has occurred, students passing for secondary institutions yet to be built, and CXC results that leave the country in a state of depression, one cannot help but pity the future of our country.

Free education

Our new education minister promises a needed change via free secondary education, but is free education the answer? Don't get me wrong, I am all for free education on all levels possible, but I am tired of finances being used as an excuse for what is happening in our education sector.

No doubt, free education would create some opportunities for the many individuals living near or below the poverty line, but it is not enough to solve our educational woes. In fact, it is not our major problem. How does one justify the thousands of students who, after having subjects paid for by the government or private organisations, do not show up for the exam or fail to do the necessary assignments in order to gain the subject?

What our education system needs is reform. We need teachers who are qualified teachers, having pedagogical knowledge and not those who settle for teaching because they were unable to do what they really wanted. We need a system that can monitor the number of students entering our high schools so they don't get overcrowded, reducing the avail-able resources for each child.

Specially trained teachers

The number of students entering our high schools unable to read and write properly needs to be reduced. We need teachers specially trained in each high school to attend to the needs of students who are unable to read and write at the level they should. We need an education system that encourages students to develop their potential and talents and not one that chases solely after academic ideals. We need our doctors and lawyers, but we also need our artists and carpenters.

Overall, free education would be wonderful to achieve, but if we as a nation think that that is all that is needed for a better education system we are wrong.

I am, etc.,

XAVIER MAIR

chrlsfang@yahoo.com

Linstead, St Catherine

Via Go-Jamaica