You did the principled thing, Mr Stewart

Friday, October 14, 2011

MR Michael Stewart, we believe, did the principled thing by resigning as chairman of the Jamaica Teachers' Association's (JTA's) Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee and as a member of the Teachers' Services Commission (TSC) on Sunday this week.

For those who may have missed it, Mr Stewart submitted his resignation, with immediate effect, to the JTA after he appeared on a campaign platform of the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) — dressed in PNP gear — and used that medium to criticise Education Minister Andrew Holness.

In his resignation letter, Mr Stewart told the JTA, and by extension the country, that on reflection he had come to the conclusion that his appearance at the rally and his comments were indiscretions which he deeply regretted.

He also said he took the decision to relinquish his positions in order to preserve the integrity of the association, which he had served with pride and commitment, and to remove any perception of political bias.

In accepting the resignation, the current JTA president, Mr Paul Adams, claimed that Mr Stewart — a past president of the teachers' union -- was not speaking on behalf of the JTA at the time he spoke on the platform.

Mr Adams will forgive us if we don't share his view. For Mr Stewart did not, as far as we understand, preface his comments with a disclaimer. In fact, Mr Stewart, in speaking to the JTA's dispute with Minister Holness over the appointment of Mr Alphansus Davis -- the minister's personal advisor — to head the TSC, said "We had told him (Holness) that it was a conflict of interest and we remained resolute until we were called in by (Prime Minister) Bruce (Golding) a few Mondays ago and the decision was rescinded."

The 'we' Mr Stewart referred to three times in that sentence was obviously the JTA. Therefore, any attempt by Mr Adams to suggest that his colleague was not speaking on behalf of the JTA is most disingenuous.

Outside of the hypocrisy of Mr Stewart's opposition to Mr Davis's appointment, we believe this issue raises the question of politicisation of groups that should really stay above the fray of political partisanship.

We're not naive enough to believe that the people who serve in these organisations don't have political views and preferences. That, certainly, is their right. However, it is when those views start colouring the organisations' expressions and actions that we have a problem.

Jamaica is not short of examples of groups that function more as support arms for political parties — particularly the PNP — rather than engaging in genuine and serious lobbying for their members.

The upshot of that is an erosion of credibility that is not easily reversed, even when individuals who approach their tasks in an apolitical manner rise to the leadership of these groups.

Quite simply, people who cannot divorce their political views from positions that require objective thought and action, really shouldn't accept those positions. It's not fair to the members of the organisations that they purport to represent, neither is it fair to the country.

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COMMENTS (8)

Mark Forbes
10/14/2011

I am always amazed at the ability of people like B. Davidson to publicly portray themselves as tools by claiming that one of our political parties is more ethical than the other. Mr B., I firmly believe the PNP would repudiate the oath to uphold the Constitution to prevent the possible loss of political power, as the JLP did. As long as they think they can get away with it, as the JLP did. I don't think they would be as naive in how they defy the superpower as the JLP, though.

Mark Forbes
10/14/2011

What happened to my posts Mr Editor, too pro -PNP? Or is it because, unlike DT and Tajai, I am not outsourcing my thinking to others? How is it that Ruel Reid publicly extolled the virtues of Holness and Stewart publicly criticised him but only Stewart is deemed to be speaking for the JTA? Because it serves the agenda of the JLP to paint all disagreements with a political brush. Some of its more mindless supporters even believed the ex'dition request was politically motivated!

Beresford Davidson
10/14/2011

Mr. 'editah,' when it come to PNP they have nothing name scruples and politics morning noon and night for them is normal. Ah don't kyah how many times you put them in power they run the country down into deep dirt, due to their brand of politics without ethics.

Ulem Scott
10/14/2011

Like the PM said you can't jump out of one skin and into another like that but it seems to only apply to PNP supporters as you the editor the PM and Mr Davis seem to think there isn't a problem when you all do the same thing

D T
10/14/2011

Very good editorial, it is a shame the JTA is politically bias. It shows any progress in the education systems will be hard if is not from the PNP. May god help us as the ones who lead have not our best interest at heart.

wanda woeman
10/14/2011

How does what Mr. Stewart did compare with what the prime Minister did? Does becoming president of the JTA make Mr. Stewart’s bias go away, so long as he acted honourably in the post? Are we forgetting that he was a past president? Mr. Stewart did not have to be dragged kicking and screaming to apologize as some of us had to.
Tell me how what he did affect the nation, and bring us all into disrepute? Tajai Grant, (if he indeed thought that the P.M. did wrong in the first place) was willing to forgive and forget. But Mr. Stewart is incorrigible. Hope Mr. Holiness’s ascension to the throne will change this, as we are sick and tired of it now.

Tajai Grant
10/14/2011

Another spot on Editorial, Who is it that Paul Adams really think he was fooling. I have long known that the JTA is an arm of the PNP and I am sure I am not the only one with this view.

wanda woeman
10/14/2011

Observer, don’t you think your cartoon today would have served your purpose more had it shown the dinosaurs addressing a sea of empty chairs? You owe me one.

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You did the principled thing, Mr Stewart