Are we majoring in the minor in Jamaica?

THE EDITOR, Sir:

It seems that the Jamaican Government has been majoring in the minors these past few years. Recently, each member of parliament received a whopping $21 million as a part of the Christmas work programme. While these are all important projects, the question of whether it was necessary to allocate so much funding. There are other significant tasks that need to be completed in sectors such as healthcare and education. Further, this is a substantial increase from the $16 million allocated last year.

In the past, there has been little or no repairs done in many communities, and when the roads are rehabilitated, large potholes emerge after one rainfall. Moreover, the frequency of garbage collection is appalling, and this urgently needs to be improved.

The most important question is, how will this $21 million be handled, since it is being given to the member of parliament to be used in his or her constituency? What are the checks and balances put in place to ensure that all the funds are utilised as intended?

Now more than ever, it is critical to channelise funds in the right direction, because basic amenities like beds and oxygen tanks are few in public hospitals, making it difficult to take care of sick individuals. Schools are no exception, as many of the buildings need repairs, as well as there is an urgent need to replace the furniture. There also needs to be measures to ensure that our valuable human resources – primarily teachers and healthcare professionals – are retained. As we know, a lot of them have left, and continue to leave, the island in search of decent salaries and better prospects.

In light of this, why isn’t it that some of this $21 million is used to increase the salaries of these professionals, improve their lives and try to stem the severe brain drain we suffer right now? Give them top priority, and invest more money in these departments to improve Jamaica.

BRITNEY CAMPBELL

Northern Caribbean

University

bcampbell15@stu.ncu.edu.jm