Spanish Town

Mayor of Spanish Town, Dr Andrew Wheatley, has lambasted schools he claims are collecting fees to substitute tuition that was abolished by the Government.

"I have no apologies, while the schools need money, they must not be charging fees of all types which sometimes are not in the student's line of studies. For example, Labs fees when the child does not have any lab studies, I have that experience with my child," he said.

He said while schools need money, they cannot be collecting at the expense of educating children who are finding it very difficult to attend school.

The mayor was speaking at the St Catherine Social Development Commission (SDC) inaugural basic school presentation ceremony, where a number of the 265 basic schools throughout the parish, were given certificates for books, pencils and other schools accessories.

empowering the students

The initiative was well accepted by Mayor Wheatley, who told the gathering that other institutions need to adopt the approach of the SDC by empowering the students. His views was echoed by project coordinator of the SDC Sandra Goulbourne, who added that early childhood forms a critical role in the development of any nation. Patron for the evening activities was Lorna Golding, wife of Prime Minister Bruce Golding. She said all need to work together as without the children being care for, the future of the nation will be lost.