NOTE-WORTHY
Published:Monday | May 10, 2010 | 12:00 AM
One way to pay teachers
Here is an alternative way that the Government should seriously consider in dealing with the debts they owe the teachers:
Waive the income taxes that the teachers would pay from their monthly salaries until the amounts owed to them are fully paid. It seems immoral for teachers to be paying the Government from their measly salaries, who owe them a sizeable debt.
To satisfy the deficit targets required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and offset the "loss of revenue" as a result of these monthly waivers, a 'Pay the teachers' tax collection blitz should be launched which target amounts equal to or more than what would result from the 'loss of revenue'. This blitz would operate parallel to any other tax collection measures.
This approach would commit the Government to stop pussyfooting with tax evaders and collect, lest they fail the IMF tests.
Audley Shaw must cut his arrogance and find creative measures to the just debts.
Norman Lee
Ontario, Canada
Shut down schools
It's time for Jamaica to stop sending students to tertiary institutions. Take the money that is spent to train teachers and pay them the salaries they want. This goes for UWI, UTech and all the others. There are many private, foreign institutions and those who attend somehow find the money to pay. Therefore, those who wish to be educated at the tertiary level by the nation must submit themselves for low salaries over a specified period of time, otherwise borrow and pay your own way. After that, you are free to charge your fees as you owe the country nothing.
During 'The great leap forward', China closed all schools and sent everyone to the farms for re-education. Can Jamaica close all the schools and send the children to boot camp, farming, and the military to be disciplined and educated in what it means to be a member of a functioning society? I wonder what would be the effect?
What will be the solution for Jamaica?
N DAYES
New York
Stop complaining, act
There is a question everyone is asking: "Who is accountable for the over 500 people" who died so far because of violence?
Everyone is accountable, but the people must mobilise around the issue of violence and take the country back from the minority - those thugs who are killing people.
It is time for the people to stop complaining and do something about the crime. Jamaica is now an independent island, yet since its independence in 1962, the murder rate just continue to increase, and the people continues to complain. Cargill Kelly
Virginia