The Editor, Sir:

During the just-concluded general election, the issue of education was very important and maybe even became a deciding factor. The Jamaica Labour Party is still sticking to its word of free tuition at the secondary level saying that we deserve it. However, have we sought to ask the question as to not if we can afford it, but rather does it make sense?

Jamaica is currently suffering from decay in morals and values. We once lived in a society that obeys the African proverb, 'It takes a village to raise a child'. We live in a time where most people don't value life much less themselves. The worst part about this debacle is that it is the condition of our youth that is most in crisis, where babies are having babies and the real man is the one that hustles or the one on the gully side.

Poor classroom conditions

I remember accompanying my best friend to his mother's office, which was at the time a non-traditional high school in the Corporate Area. I was shocked to imagine that classrooms can be in such a condition. There were hardly any desks and chairs and the ones that were there were very deplorable. There were no signs of textbooks, notebooks or hardly any students in classes.

During the school years of 2005 to 2007, I served as student council president of Wolmer's Boys' School. During that time, I learned that the hardest task for school administrations is not only discipline but rather, managing the inadequate budget provided by Government. At Wolmer's, the basic necessities for a holistic learning environment are provided but this is mainly due to the contribution of the school's trust and past students' contributions.

The issue at hand is not whether the Jamaican government can afford free tuition, but rather does it make sense? Does free tuition mean a better education system? The funds used for free tuition can be used to train our teachers, provide scholarships, improving on school infrastructure, building more schools or just about anything in improving our failing education system.

I am, etc.,

IBRAHIM A.K.K. KONTEH

kibrahim@uark.edu

Public Relations Officer

Caribbean Students' Association

University of Arkansas