THE EDITOR, Sir:

First let me take this opportunity to congratulate our Jamaican athletes who have given a superb performance as they represent their country in Beijing, China. We will continue to wish them success.

Second, I am very concerned about the number of children who have been placed at high schools through the Grade Six Achieve-ment Test and also the Grade Nine Achievement Test, but are unable to take up the offer. The Ministry of Education has implemented a policy, requiring the submission of birth certificates before the results can be released. This has proven good over the years, in that it motivates some parents who would become negligent on this very important matter to ensure that the birth certificates are obtained.

However, my concern is that there are students whose parents have obtained their receipts from the Registrar General's Depart-ment, showing that the birth certificates are being processed, yet the Ministry of Education, Region VI, in particular, will not release the results to them. Even at this late stage, although the high schools have the names of successful students, these parents are unable to carry out the registration, since the marks will not be provided before the actual submission of the birth certificates.

I am requesting that you research this matter and find out the number of students not placed into a high school because they are unable to produce the birth certificate on time for registration. I am also requesting that the Ministry of Education makes some adjustments to correct this matter as quickly as possible.

I am, etc.,

jerrydanks@hotmail.com