Public education, while not perfect, allows the majority to attend schools, where they can learn to read, write, do basic calculations and think logically, among other things. This allows Jamaica to have a literacy rate of 87.9 percent, according to a 2003 estimate, provided in the World Factbook (2011). A high rate of literacy translates into higher productivity.
Because every person must attend school at least until he is 16 years old, free public schools act as a factor that unites the society. Children learn about the history, culture and traditions of Jamaica, as well as the values of non-violence, democracy, freedom and tolerance.
According to the World Factbook (2011), the school life expectancy, or the number of years spent studying from primary to tertiary education, averaged 14 years in Jamaica. As educated people are more likely to be responsible citizens, not indifferent to politics, the Jamaican education system's another advantage in that it equips every islander with the schooling necessary to understand politics and be less likely to be manipulated by politicians.
As many Jamaicans receive adequate schooling, they get a better chance of earning a decent income. Still, Jamaican education alone cannot bring economic prosperity. The island country has a GDP per capita of just $8,400 (2010), which ranks it 121th in the world on this measure. The unemployment rate is also high at 12.9 percent. That being said, an educated workforce will allow people to earn more when structural reforms take place in the economy.