Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Mixed reaction on govt’s removal of school auxiliary fees
Education Minister, Senator Ruel Reid 
News
April 20, 2016

Mixed reaction on govt’s removal of school auxiliary fees

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Government’s announcement to remove auxiliary fees in high schools effective at the start of the next academic year has received mixed reactions from the public.

According to a release from the Ministry of Education, the current contribution of $11,500 paid by the ministry for each student will be increased to $19,000.

Read: Education ministry to remove auxiliary fees in September

However, some readers on Facebook are apprehensive, saying they fear the spinoff effects that the move will have. 

“Be careful, school suffering already, see what happened to the hospitals?” one reader opined. A further comment expressed similar views, stating “Lol mash up our education and health system some more will you. Free this.. free free”.

A third reader commented that “Schools are already suffering with more fees removed things will get worse. We can’t expect things to be free in this country….the money is just not there! Ask school admins what’s happening if unnu think a lie…”

It was the view of another that “Extra money will be needed to fund these things .. . and budget cut so that’s none of my business”.

“Auxiliary fees are what help the schools in additional supplies that’s needed, I do not agree …the problem is the mind frame of Jamaican people. Love hand outs – freeness,” someone else expressed.

Then, there were readers who had mixed views about the government’s announcement.

“I applaud the Government for once again removing auxiliaries fee, but how do you get the schools to comply , so many students has face embarrassment from school official to include withholding much needed resources” was one such comment.

An additional comment was:  “Really hope this plan was properly thought out as some of the schools now can barely survive without parents contributing to several projects to raise funds in order to help the school”.

Someone else expressed doubt, “I’m not sure if this is really a good or bad thing for us, is it the same as saying free education? Reason this free thing never always work out. Look at all the mishaps since the free health came in,” the commenter said. 

This was followed by: “I know a lot of parents will benefit from this. I expect more taxes because everything can’t be free, there must be a way to pay for it. I hope no one will complain when they increase GCT…just saying!!”

Despite the doubts and statements opposing the move, there were still others who welcomed the move and praised the government.

“The prosperity government at work… Yes mi Prosperity team good job…” one reader said.

Another reader thought that “The JLP is always the better party to govern Jamaica and Jamaicans are coming to their senses!” But, in response, one commenter asked if “freeing things makes them better?”

Attacking statements made by Opposition spokesman on Finance Dr Peter Phillips, another posted: “Mr Phillips came blazing the other day, auxiliary fee can’t be free, hence the JLP administration will fail a next promise, well right in your face, starting this September”.

Knocking the proposal to remove auxiliary fees, Phillips in February said that if implemented this would result in loss of income to schools and an increased cost to Government of between $3.1 billion to $5 billion.

Meanwhile, one reader thought that people are hard to please. “Me say dem ppl yah nuh easy eeh nuh it’s damn if you do and damn if you don’t… If the headline had said “auxiliary fee to be increase” it would be riot…” the reader commented.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Trump pauses 50% Canada tariffs for three days
International News, Latest News
Trump pauses 50% Canada tariffs for three days
August 18, 2026
WASHINGTON (AFP) United States (US) President Donald Trump paused the rollout of fresh tariffs on some Canadian goods late Tuesday, after negotiations...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Wasteful Mt Pleasant lose 2-1 to Ciabo in Caribbean Cup title defence opener
Latest News, Sports
Wasteful Mt Pleasant lose 2-1 to Ciabo in Caribbean Cup title defence opener
Mount Pleasant FA
August 18, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—A wasteful Mount Pleasant FA were beaten 2-1 by Cibao FC of the Dominican Republic as they opened the defence of their Concacaf Cari...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
One of St Elizabeth most wanted cut down by cops
Latest News, News
One of St Elizabeth most wanted cut down by cops
August 18, 2026
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica—Anward Hinds, otherwise called ‘Kirkie,’ one of Jamaica's most wanted men was reportedly fatally shot in a confrontation with th...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Ricco Records releases new dancehall single ‘Mind Games’ featuring Lavisch
Entertainment, Latest News
Ricco Records releases new dancehall single ‘Mind Games’ featuring Lavisch
August 18, 2026
Music label Ricco Records, led by producer Rick Foster otherwise known as Ricco Diplomats, has released Mind Games , a new dancehall single from emerg...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Lincoln Roy scores surprise placement on iTunes Hip Hop and Rap Albums chart
Entertainment, Latest News
Lincoln Roy scores surprise placement on iTunes Hip Hop and Rap Albums chart
August 18, 2026
Dancehall and hip-hop fusion artiste Lincoln Roy has surprised pundits by climbing to number five on the United States’ iTunes Hip Hop and Rap chart, ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Meta hooked children and misled public—prosecutors
International News, Latest News
Meta hooked children and misled public—prosecutors
August 18, 2026
OAKLAND, United States(AFP)—Meta knowingly hooked and exploited children, a US federal court heard Tuesday in a trial against the social media giant o...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Ian Sweetness covers ‘All For Jesus’ for Ernie Smith tribute album
Entertainment, Latest News
Ian Sweetness covers ‘All For Jesus’ for Ernie Smith tribute album
August 18, 2026
Going to dances as a boy in East Kingston, Ian Sweetness admired singers like Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs. The mellow sounds of Ernie Smith also c...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Thousands mourn dead black academic in London vigil
International News, Latest News
Thousands mourn dead black academic in London vigil
August 18, 2026
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP)—Thousands of people gathered in central London late Monday to hold a vigil for black academic Jason Arday, blaming racism...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct