Dear Editor,

Mine is but a cautionary tale. I have not really spoken to anyone else in this situation so I’m not sure how many are going through a similar plight although I believe it could be many.

I have been a teacher at the same traditional high school in Kingston for 10 years. I started teaching with a Bachelor of Science degree. Recognising that the Ministry of Education and education lobbyists for years have been constantly clamouring for specialist teachers, I went on to get my Master’s in Science. That was two years ago.

The students immediately started to benefit but it took six months for me to get my incremental increase for the Master’s and to date I have not got my retroactive money (due since June 2010).

Recently, I finished a Postgraduate Diploma in Science Education as I wanted to improve myself and the quality of teaching I offer to the future of the nation. I sacrificed starting my family and was putting myself in a better financial position to do so. I did not stop working or take any loans to put myself through school both times. Everything was out of pocket.

To date, I have not got my incremental pay and the degree was awarded three months ago. Also, I would wish not to have the pay go further into retroactive territory, as who knows when that will be paid over to me? I have been getting the runaround and sob story from my school as well as the Ministry of Education for a long time now, neither taking the blame for the delays. My questions to the authorities are:

(1) Why tell me to go to school and better myself when you are not going to acknowledge this? (2) Why should we bother to plan for our future, seemingly in vain? (3) How do you plan to keep me – an experienced and proficient teacher – happy and continuing to reside in Jamaica, if I cannot even be paid according to what you say I should be?

Mr Editor, I am not being greedy, as greed implies that I – a teacher – am already being paid enough but want more. I am only seeking to be paid what I and the family which I have planned for deserve. I’ve made plans and I know God reserves the right to laugh, but not the Ministry of Education or my employer.

S Haughton