Dear Editor,
The question of extra lessons for secondary school children was recently defended in Parliament by the Minister of Education with the GAP/ROAR member pointing out that if parents have to pay for extra lessons for their children and he, as Minister colludes with such a practice, then the government boasts that primary and secondary education is free is an empty boast since money has to come out of the parents’ pockets anyway.

May I bring to the Hon Minister’s knowledge that in the past at Queen’s College, Bishops’ High School, St Stanislaus College, St. Rose’s High School, and St Joseph’s the students spent after 3 pm, playing games, training in cadet corps or scouts or in various school clubs.

The teaching they received earned them good grades at the English exams ‘A’ and ‘O’ Levels and CXC. And they were launched into the world as top-grade youngsters, capable in whatever field they entered. The Minister should ask the one or two Queen’s and Bishops’ students who are still in public life how it was done. There may be one or two surviving masters still around.

The Hon Minister may do his reputation and the nation much good if he could restore the system of old QC and Bishops’ and allow everybody’s children to be well developed and capable young people.

Yours faithfully,
R. Williams