Hylton pushes for expanded educational access in St Andrew Western

Member of Parliament for St Andrew Western Anthony Hylton is batting for increased educational opportunities for the children of his constituency.

In his contribution to the State of the Constituency debate in Gordon House on Tuesday afternoon, Hylton said that while the administration constructs buildings and bridges, the country cannot be built if access to quality education is not widened.

He told his parliamentary colleagues that despite the size and population of St Andrew Western, there is only one high school in the constituency.

Hylton said many of his constituents face burdensome transportation costs as their children have to take more than one form of public transportation to get to school outside the constituency.

“The question is being asked by parents and children: ‘When will the children of western St Andrew have better access to education?’ The Government must answer. Education is not a luxury; it is the most important investment we can make in our people and in national development,” he said.

The veteran MP said that while he accepted the urgency of restoring schools damaged by Hurricane Melissa, it is important to recognise that replacement is not equal to addition.

Calling for another secondary educational institution in St Andrew Western, Hylton said the Government should allocate the necessary resources to expand the facilities at Edith Dalton James High School.

He said this would place the institution in a position to accommodate more students who could become the future entrepreneurs, engineers, doctors and other professionals Jamaica needs to facilitate its future development.

The Opposition MP made an impassioned plea for help, noting that the absence of educational opportunities is a pathway to illiteracy, ignorance, low self-esteem, low productivity, limited employment opportunities, poverty and, eventually, antisocial behaviour.

- Edmond Campbell

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.