The issue of free tuition, which has been promised by the incoming Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government, has raised a number of questions.

One such is funding for sixth forms in the nation's schools and how it could affect the level of education and intake of students.

This issue was raised yesterday at a Gleaner Editors' Forum at the company's North Street head office, central Kingston, where stakeholders in the education sector discussed the newly instituted policy of free tuition in secondary schools across Jamaica.

Principal of Jamaica College (JC) Ruel Reid, believes that once the Education Minister is named, a meeting will have to be held between the minister and major players in the sector to discuss how sixth forms would be funded.

Mr. Reid, who is a former president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), said sixth-form fees across Jamaica varied, therefore the Government would have to look carefully at the process of providing these fees for the schools.

"Bear in mind that there are variations from school to school in terms of the tuition component for sixth form. For example, at J.C., our tuition component is $20,000. We can't afford to lose that revenue."

Mr. Reid is wary that the Government's approach could alienate funds necessary to effectively run sixth forms.

"There is greater standardisation in terms of tuition for forms one to five across schools in Jamaica, but not at sixth form. What we don't want at the end of the day, when we say we are refunding all tuition fees, then the refund must include whatever the tuition fee is."

Trevor Blake, board member at Hampton School for Girls, also raised concerns over sixth-form funding.

Specialists required

He explained that Hampton teaches 27 subjects which sometimes requires specialists and which increases costs, which are paid by the school. He is also hoping the Government takes these factors into consideration so as not to dilute the quality of sixth-form education.

"We cannot use a broadbrush and paint sixth form. We have to fight for that, otherwise we are going to water down sixth-form education."

The consensus coming out of the forum from both men was that the budget for education and the money given to secondary schools should be increased to help schools in providing education.

"I am really begging the new administration to sit downwith the stakeholders - the PTA, the principals' associations and the JTA - and let us come to a consensus, because the reality is that the funds that the Government provides are inadequate," concluded Mr. Reid.