Proposed civil service cuts

To join in the discussion regarding the proposal to reduce the size of the civil service, it would be interesting to find out the number/percentage of current staff who do not have the academic qualifications for the post they currently hold.

This, I believe, is a big problem in the public service, and a check should be conducted immediately in all ministries, departments and agencies. The outcome will be astounding.

While academic qualification is but one criteria for job selection, it is a basic/fundamental criteria and more effort have to be made to ensure that, at a minimum, employees are qualified for their jobs.

- Tamara B.

A nation of thieves?

I often read your pages and try to understand the many moans and groans, concerns about our country. I believe most of our problems stem from high or misplaced expectations.

We are indeed a diverse and complex nation, each with our own set of expectations of each other and therein lies the problem. The range of diversity, even within our culture is too wide for any common ground to be found.

I do agree that we should keep trying, but it should be made clear that we have no room for thieves.

Apparently a large proportion of Jamaicans believe that it is OK to rob and steal. Stealing is now part of our culture, even policemen practise this offensive act.

We need to launch a campaign to root out this evil from our culture.

Our reputation as known thieves has surpassed the shores of Jamaica and is now common knowledge globally. Some people even cruelly claim that this culture of stealing and trying to run-away has contributed to us providing great sprinters.

We must implement tough policies against thieves and watch our economy soar; only then will be have the confidence to address the diversity of our expectations.

- G Parker, xtparker@yahoo.com,

Appalling statistics

I am appalled at the statistic on the number of illiterate students being admitted into high schools for the school year 2010-2011. What is really going on in the minds of those educators who had made that decision?

I truly believe that this will only compound their problems and they are are only going to become more frustrated. Mark you, this might not have been their fault in the first place.This calls for immediate remedial work to the problem at hand.

We need to keep these students where they are at the moment, thinking of the effects it may have on them from a psychological point of view, but get them in "special" reading sessions during the days more than anything else in the curriculum. When a child learns to read everything normally falls into place.

- Annette McPherson, anne_macpher@yahoo.com