Education inflation - 10% cost hike a worry

Anyone heating a home, trying to fill a car or run a fleet of business vehicles will not be surprised that soaring fuel costs have contributed significantly to an increased inflation rate last month.

Consumer prices rose and the annual inflation rate crept towards 2.2%. Education, up 9.4% year-on-year, and alcohol contributed too. Transport costs rose 7.6%.

Though increased transport costs will make it difficult to create or sustain jobs, a near 10% rise in the cost of education does not auger well. As we have said many times, the only worthwhile response to our difficulties comes through education. Anything the hinders that reality must be confronted ruthlessly.