Research on the reasons for boys' underperformance in schools is a national imperative, not a debate of funding. I read with great alarm that, as a country, we are finding it difficult to find $2.8 million to do a well-needed study on the reasons why our boys are underperforming in school.

more emphasis needed

How can this be a debate if we have funding? Why are we looking overseas to secure grant funding? I note that the Planning Institute of Jamaica sees the issue as 'critical'. Does this seem like it was critical? Do you remove critical items from your budget? I do not think so.

If we look at our crime rates over the years, the many street boys, men and boys loading one person onto a bus, we can see why this study is needed. We keep on looking outside Jamaica for help, which is fuelling the freeness mentality we have. We do not want to look to ourselves for our answers which, in the long run, will build capacity.

where is the funding?

We find money to spend on tourism and by-elections, but question where the money should come from to do the study. Not getting this study underway this year is like failing our boys which we have been doing for a long time and holding our future development hostage.

I am, etc.,

OSWY GAYLE

ogayle@utech.edu.jm

237 Old Hope road

Kingston