This morning I read an article published by one Harold Bruce Malcom in the Jamaica Gleaner. Click here to read:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070716/cleisure/cleisure2.html
While I hear the “Labourites” and their various arguments, I, like the rest of the nation, am asking the question “How will this be financed?” Why is it so hard to get an answer? The reality of the Jamaican economy is that it cannot sustain free education for too long….perhaps the first term…..but no longer. The public needs an answer not only about how it will be financed, but proof of several studies which indicate that a reduction in school fees leads to an increase in student knowledge. These two answers coupled together will provide the taxpayer with a clearer vision on the matter of FREE education up to the secondary level.
By the way….who will be teaching these children? And, what of tertiary education?
Also, I wish that we would stop looking over at Barbados and Trindad and comparing ourselves to them. Bajans and Trinis have different values. Ask any of them which they would purchase…a Nissan Sunny or a BMW and you will get your answer. Many a Trinidadian have told me a Nissan Sunny is their car of preference…this is not to say the odd one wouldn’t like a BMW…but unlike Jamaicans, they live within their means. We would rather have luxury vehicles and a trillion dollar trade deficit, than a solid education plan….so please tell us how you will finance this “freeness!”
You’re right! I want a BMW! The only Nissans I would want is the Skyline or the 350Z. Cant afford any of them right now so I drive an old Honda…
See what I mean Mad Bull? Ask any Jamaican woman what kind of car she would like….it aint no Nissan! Our high culture is what has put us where we are. Jamaicans live in a Fool’s Paradise because they complain about everything….and even in the First World people are not getting what we are demanding!
I can really feel the venom in this post and i am luvin it!! haha!! you hit the nail on the head jamaicangirl. it amazes me at how the american popular culture has really seeped in and infiltrated our jamaicaness over the past 2 decades or so. it got to a huge tipping point after the dollar when from (JA$8 to US$1) to (JA$22 to US$1) in a matter of months. I remember those days right before i came to america. everyone envied and still envies anyone who gets a chance to go to the us or the uk. i think alot of the economic woes really stems from that inability to show some real local pride in our country and ourselves as jamaicans. the answers will never be answered externally. it’s going to take a miracle for us jamaicans to do the right thing. what’s the right thing??? CUT SPENDING & CONSUMERISM!! INVEST IN EACH OTHER AND OUR OWN STUFF!! DONT BE BAD MINDED TO PEOPLE WHO ARE SUCCESSFUL!!! RUN WEH OR PROSECUTE DI POLITICANS WHO IMPEDE PROGRESS!! GET A MINI COOPER IF YUH AH GO GET A BMW…DI ROAD DEM SMALL TO RAHTID!! STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW BAD THINGS ARE AND START DOING THINGS IN YOUR LOCALE TO GET THINGS RIGHT!! That’s just me venting…sorry for such a lengthy response, but you hit a good ol’ nerve w/ me being in the finance/economics world.