Letters

Rough ride for education

THE EDITOR, Madam,

Are we really serious about fixing the education sector? If the recent budgetary allocation is any indication of the government's attempt to improve the education system, then we are in for a 'rough ride'.

Last year (2004) the education budget was $28.5 billion which was woefully inadequate. Consequently, an understanding was reached with the opposition to increase this year's budget (2005) by five percent. This year's budget is $29.3 billion, an increase of 800 million or 2.5 per cent.

One does not need official statistics to prove that the purchasing power of $28.5 billion in 2004 is basically the same as the purchasing power, of $29.3 billion in 2005. This is attributed to the simple fact that consumer goods and the cost of living have increased significantly. Therefore, even an economic dunce like myself can figure out that there will be no additional funds to work with at the Ministry of Education.

Notwithstanding the facts I have stated, I expect loud shouts of "Hear! Hear!" from the government side when the minister announces that there is a 2.5% increase in the education budget.

Even with the "increase" in the budget, early childhood and primary education are left in the same position and worse than that of last year because most of the money will go towards tertiary education. Now, I don't have a problem with a government wanting to help poor people access tertiary education, but not at the expense of early childhood and primary education.

Without the benefit of empirical evidence, it is clear that the vast majority of those who are in tertiary institutions are from the middle and upper class. Therefore, it is the "real poor people" who are paying to make these middle class citizens become doctors, lawyers, teachers and other professionals.

Sadly, it is painfully obvious that when these "middle class and upper class" citizens finish "piggy backing" on the poor and gain their professions, they treat the poor like "dirt". How many of these university graduates seek to use their training to help the poor?

The poor deserves more and education is their only passport to a better life. Let us, therefore, give every citizen from early childhood to secondary the best opportunity to enter tertiary institutions. Believe me, no matter how high the fees for university are, the best and the brightest will find their way there.

The emphasis must be on early childhood and primary education.

I am, etc.,

ANDRE WELLINGTON