The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) has distanced itself from comments made by immediate past president Hopeton Henry at last week’s conference, which seemed to support the People’s National Party (PNP) and which that party has been using in advertisements in the election campaign.

“We wish to inform the nation that the JTA does not endorse any political party and most certainly does not endorse any party contesting elections on Monday, September 3,” JTA president Ena Barclay told the Observer yesterday.

According to Barclay, the constitution of the JTA states that the organisation is non-political, non-sectoral and non-denominational, and until that changes the JTA would not be taking sides.

Asked if Henry’s comments had placed her in a compromising and/or embarrassing position, Barclay said: “It really has. The JTA over the years has never sided with any political party. Our members belong to both (major) political parties and we do not wish to show preference or to isolate anyone.”

At the 43rd annual JTA conference last week in Ocho Rios, Henry said that the education agenda must not ‘change course’, adopting a phrase used by the two main political parties in their election campaigns.

Barclay said she was encouraging teachers to exercise their franchise and vote for the party of their choice today.