Better prizes please

There is no denying that the Digicel/TVJ's 'All together sing' competition is a good thing for schools. It makes for positive exposure for the students and schools. However, people hesitate to support a venture where they see the schools benefiting financially very little from the top prize of $400,000.

The truth is the schools that are still in the competition spend approximately $30,000 to $40,000 on phone cards for voting each week. Many principals have expressed their disappointment with the smallness of the gift.

Many schools spend close to $400,000, just in purchasing costumes, travel and other expenses. The schools need help, but real help would be in an honestly practical amount. I would suggest that the first place winner receives at least $800,000.

The second place $500,000. The third place $300,000.

It is only fair and not asking too much. I know most schools are looking at the logistics and are not pleased with the gift package.

- Lee McKoy

leeMcKoy@gmail.com

Westmoreland

Exorbitant passport fees

The recent increases implemented by the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) are a blatant slap in the face of Jamaicans. To hike the cost of passports by 80 and 380 per cent is unjustifiably sudden, particularly in these economic times. I concede that PICA should be able to sustain itself, but to increase passports by such exorbitant margins is simply too much.

I am concerned that the rate increases will do more harm than good. If there were alleged instances of corruption with employees processing applications illegally when the rates were low, imagine what a 380 per cent hike will do. These new increases will encourage bribery and other illegal approaches to circumvent the processing fees.

I call on the Government and PICA to reconsider the rate increases. The previous increase in 2001 do not justify these ridiculous prices that hardworking, honest Jamaicans will have to pay just to possess what should not be considered a luxury but an inherent right.

- Corve DaCosta

corve.dacosta@gmail.com

Kingston