Minister Reverend Ronald Thwaites would like to see our children going to schools closer to their homes. While this is a good idea on paper it isn't feasible in real life.

Currently, schools in Jamaica are extremely stratified, putting students closer to their homes is not going to solve this alone. Unfortunately is seems that his main objectives are to decrease loitering at the transport centre and decrease transportation time... what about the quality of education for our children, Minister?

Schools first need to be equipped with the same resources, teacher quality, discipline and even lunch. It is not fair for a student to work hard on GSAT and waste his potential at a school unable to hone his intellect.

Until the Minister ensures that the quality of academics for our children will not be put at risk by leveling the playing field by simply taking small steps, we cannot allow this to happen. The infrastructure, class sizes, equipment availability and teacher quality need to be improved first before this idea can be put in place.

Until then, we suggest that Minister encourages parents to take various variables into consideration when choosing schools. Encourage them to look at what is economically feasible, with both time and money. Parents must sign off on their children's school choices, so for now, let them decide and work on the quality of our schools.

We all know this won't solve the problem, don't let him play fast and loose with our children's future.