Broaden SLB board membership

The Editor, Sir:

The minister of finance in his wisdom and capacity as minister with oversight responsibility for the Students' Loan Bureau (SLB) has named an 11-member board to replace the recently resigned members.

While it is the prerogative of ministers of government to appoint persons to boards over which they have oversight, I am of the view that in most cases the persons appointed are far removed from the reality. In other words, in appointing board members, due consideration must be taken for the critical stakeholders who have more at risk in a poorly run one versus an efficient one.

Certainly, the case of the SLB brings out this point as there are two groups which are important contributors to its existence which were not considered for appointment. It is my view that students through their student organisation and parents through the National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica should have been included.

While it can be argued that the students are considered as adults at the time of signing the loan documents and therefore are responsible for the loan, it is the parents who invariably pay the loan. The parents take responsibility as they consider it their duty to assist their children until they are able to start honouring that obligation.

Therefore, I strongly believe that they should have a representative on that board as decisions made by it can impact on their well-being.

I am, etc.,

SYLVESTER E. ANDERSON

Valentine Gardens

Kingston