Fixing Jamaica's problem-racked education system is critical to solving the Caribbean nation's ballooning crime woes, Opposition Spokesman on Education, Senator Basil Waite, has said.

"I am of the view that as a country Jamaica's best days are ahead of us and if we are going to fix Jamaica, as we must, if we are going to fix the crime problem we have in our country, then we must fix the education system," Waite said.

Waite argued that Jamaica's prospects could only change if adequate infrastructure was in place to increase the knowledge and skills base of its citizens.

"Education is not just about coming to school and reading some books on the textbook list, it is not just about using the computers that will be given to the school under the e-learning programme, it is about building a knowledge-based society, it is about every Jamaican in every nook and cranny being able to be connected to the world," he said.

Change two-shift system

The senator was addressing a recent presentation ceremony at which Ward's Power Tools and Supplies Limited handed over a $5 million endowment to the St James High School in Montego Bay. The funds will be used for the development of the school, construction of a computer lab and the industrial arts and sports programmes.

The school's principal, Joseph Williams, said efforts are being made to change the present two-shift system and return to a single shift. That system is believed to be a more wholesome learning paradigm.