Tell Me Pastor

Nothing is for free

Dear Pastor,

My concern is about an article I saw in The Gleaner. The article was about the number of students at the University of the West Indies who were unable to continue their education because they could not pay their tuition.

I want to know where is the Government of Jamaica? They have people who are qualified to enter the university and they are not doing anything to help them.

I suggest that they should try and pay the fees and in return allow the students to work in the public sector for a period of time to repay their debts. How does the Government of Jamaica expects the country to grow as a nation when education is only for the rich?

Y.J.,

New York, USA

Dear Y. J,

Your letter tells me that you are uninformed. It is not true that the government has not done anything to help the students who are attending the University of the West Indies. Students can apply for loans through the Students' Loan Bureau.

Sometimes people believe that university education is free but the university has to meet its financial obligations.

Education in Jamaica is not only for the rich. That is nonsense.

Pastor.