THE EDITOR, Sir:
WE, THE grassroots people, are being made poorer to make some other people richer. For example, when our Government squanders poor people's tax dollars and then have to borrow heavily to balance the country's budget, we as poor people are again overtaxed to pay tremendous profits (interest) to the rich.
The rich will be richer and the poor will be poorer. There are many young scientists, doctors, engineers etc... out in the ghettos, but because of a lack of opportunity, they are like sheep without shepherds. Education is the key. If we the grass roots people were educated, neither the lawyer nor politician could contrive to fool us near to an election or at budget time.
How can a country's economy improve with constant borrowing and without production? How can a country's economy improve and be vibrant without an educated work force, especially in a modern world of high technology? The more my fellow Jamaicans and our Government continue to ignore education for our young people, the more gunmen we will produce. Right now our police seem unable to cope with the high murder rate.
I would recommend that the Government enter into an agreement with the stakeholders in the lottery and gaming industry to pump a share of their profits into the education system. With the lottery and gaming industry pulling in some eight billion dollars last year, I am suggesting that a split of 50:50 would ensure that education would get a significant boost.
I also recommend that we bring back school inspectors to carry out surprise visits to schools. More security should also be provided at schools so that teachers will feel safer and be able to perform more efficiently.
I am, etc.,
ROBERT SOLOMON HENRY
Lot 11 North Monticello Crescent
Spanish Town P.O.
