Jamaican-Canadian multi-millionaire Dr Raymond Chang has warned that the island's socio-economic foundation is in danger of collapse if social groups fail to prop up an underfunded education sector.

While conceding that spending on the public-school system was hamstrung because the Govern-ment was broke, Chang, chancellor of Ryerson University in Canada, said the situation was dire.

"It gives you an education system that is grossly underfunded and misaligned with the current and future productivity requirements of a globalised market," said Chang. "This spells disaster ... economically and culturally.

He added: "We cannot leave it to any government to bring education up to speed. The needs are horrendous and the resources are limited. We must depend on ourselves to survive."

Approximately $58.3 billion was allocated for education in the $489-billion national budget. Supple-mentary estimates boosted the total Budget by $18 billion.

Go the extra mile

Delivering the keynote address at Jamaica College Old Boys' Association of Canada's 21st annual fund-raising gala recently, Chang urged the alumni to go the extra mile for the school.

"Our schools need us. Parts of the buildings, infrastructure and human capital may survive but only barely if we do not step in to give ... first of ourselves and then of our resources," Chang told the gathering.

He continued: "Over the years, we have all enjoyed the many dinners, dances, picnics, and other fund-raising activities that all our associations have staged. But are we doing enough? I believe we need to do a heck of a lot more," said Chang.

Founded in 1802 by Barbadian Charles Drax, Jamaica College has produced 17 Rhodes Scholars, including the late Norman Manley and Michael Manley, both former prime ministers, current prime minister, Bruce Golding, and former West Indies cricket captain, Jimmy Adams.