One would expect that Minister Andrew Holness would listen to the numerous principals who are literally begging him not to put a cap on ancillary fees.It is not acceptable that principals of schools are seriously considering closing down school canteens.

As someone who taught in the Jamaican school system, I have seen many students who came to school without having breakfast because their parents simply could not afford this very important meal of the day. These students depended on the canteen to get a hot meal at a reduced cost, or sometimes free.

Disconnected utilities

It was reported that Spanish Town High School had to close down because the water and electricity were disconnected because there was no money to pay for these necessities.

How can the Government deny students an education? It is full time for the Government to apologise to every Jamaican for the mistake of abolishing school fees. It would have been better if the Government placed a cap on school fees. At least, this money could have prevented the electricity and water from being disconnected at Spanish Town High.

The JLP needs to examine the so-called freeness that it has unleashed on the people of Jamaica. Freeness comes with a price and that price is to reduce the quality of service it provides for Jamaicans.

The same situation is happening in the health sector. The Government abolished hospital user fees. However, the hospitals are unable to provide the quality care for the Jamaican public because these facilities are underfunded.

I am not against abolishing hospital user fees and school fees, but why abolish these sources of funding when the Government is not providing adequate funding for these institutions?

I am, etc.,

WAYNE SIMMONDS

waynes90@yahoo.co.uk