It concerns me that it has now become customary for many middle- and upper-class parents in Jamaica to send their teenagers to overseas colleges and universities in pursuance of a first degree. Several of them want their kids to go to Ivy League colleges or elite universities to pursue bachelor degree programmes that are offered and accredited right here in Jamaica. In fact, many parents send their young kids away from the age of 13 or so to attend boarding school, which they feel will propel them into an Ivy League institution.

The question I ask is, what is wrong with our local universities?

Let’s be clear; a first degree, which is a bachelor’s in a particular field of study, is really not a big deal anymore, so to what end are parents overextending themselves in many cases for first degrees abroad? If it is that your child plans on returning to Jamaica to live and work, I cannot see the true benefit.

Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of pursuing first degree education abroad.

Pros of foreign education for a first degree

• Campuses are large and infrastructure modern

• In some cases, the latest technology is readily available

• wider array of subjects and courses offered

• Some of these universities or colleges are well-recognised around the world

• good networking opportunities

• wide range of extra-curricular activities

• exposure to new cultures, and perhaps languages

Cons of foreign education for a first degree

• cost can be astronomical

• to obtain scholarships, a special set of exams have to be pursued, the cost of which can be exorbitant.

• Even if a scholarship is obtained, there are many other expenses that need to be considered.

• Numerous teens experience culture shock.

• Many teens are not mentally prepared to leave home at an early age. (Keep in mind that the brain does not completely develop until around the mid-20s).

• Several teenagers are unsure of what they want to do, and often pursue courses with no real goal.

• Since there are no parents around, several teenagers get involved in drug and/or alcohol abuse as well as other risky behaviour.

Staying in Jamaica

The country, as well as individual parents, could save much foreign exchange if our teenagers chose to be educated right here. Many parents find themselves in grave financial difficulties when sending their teen to foreign universities.

Often, some teenagers are sent away to institutions that are not even on par with our local universities and that award degrees of inferior quality when compared to what could be obtained right here.

When we support our local institutions, we provide employment for so many levels of people. We employ more lecturers and we employ more support and administrative staff. We build more lecture rooms, more labs, more offices, so we invest in construction. We expand and our country grows. Isn’t that what we should all, as Jamaicans, be striving for?

I do believe that exposure to foreign campuses can teach valuable lessons and provide enrichment to our students, but I do not believe that it is necessary for a first degree. Obviously, if your child wants to pursue a field of study that is not offered locally, then the choice of overseas education is understandable. However, I cannot support sending Jamaican-born kids away to study something that is offered and accredited here. It borders on disloyalty. The time is now for Jamaicans to support their local institutions.

When your teen has matured and obtained a first degree locally, then you could consider a master’s degree and/or PhD degree at an overseas university to offer exposure and enrichment. At this age, that student should be better able to handle the potential problems likely to be encountered during his/her tenure overseas. Let me be clear though, a master’s or PhD could very well be pursued here, or done in part here.

Our Rhodes scholars have all obtained their first degrees at a local university and most, if not all, have successful and valuable careers. The medical and law faculties at The University of the West Indies produce first-class graduates and so do its other faculties. Our local researchers are internationally acclaimed and collaborations occur with many overseas universities. Discoveries are made right here in Jamaica that can change the world.

Our country is rich in many ways and we are also rich in our education system. Education offered in Jamaica is considered of high standard worldwide. We produce world-class athletes and music, why not world-class scholars?

Dr Karla Hylton is the author of Yes! You Can Help Your Child Achieve Academic Success andComplete Chemistry for Caribbean High Schools. She operates Bio & Chem Tutoring which specialises in secondary level biology and chemistry. Reach her at (876) 564-1347, biochemtutor100@gmail.com.