Dear Editor,

In its zeal to collect greater levels of revenue, the present administration shrugged off all entreaties not to re-introduce the General Consumption Tax on computers and computer peripherals.

Today the result of this action speaks volumes: the Global Information Technology report 2010-2011 states that Jamaica’s technology is among the top 10 worst in the world.

Dr Hopeton Dunn’s recent revelations, based on a survey conducted between November 2010 and January this year, indicate that just over 15 per cent of households have access to the Internet. Meanwhile, 24 per cent have access to a computer at home. These figures are atrocious but not surprising as both reports point to a common thread — the lack of adequate government support. Providing Internet access to government-run schools will not help the students beyond the school walls.

There is a greater need for continued learning within the home. I believe the reports are accurate — the writing is on the wall. Jamaica will continue to decline if the barriers to improvement are not removed.

Dean McKenzie

deamac2977@yahoo.com