Time for end to freeness for all

MAKE THEM PAY.

That was the unapologetic position of economist and former chairman of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Sir Frank Alleyne, who argued that Barbadians earning big salaries should not continue to access free tertiary education and health care.

Furthermore, as trade unions step up agitation against the high level of taxation including the recently imposed ten per cent National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL), Sir Frank contended that too many Barbadians were behaving “entitled” without a sense of giving back after the country provided for them from the cradle.

 “There is a sense of ingratitude in this country. That is why I have been saying to Government that they need a fundamental rethink of social policy.

“When I look at what is happening in education it is an abuse of the taxpayers – particularly the middle-income and low-income people to ask them to foot the bill for students whose parents and grandparents have benefited from a state-funded tertiary education.