MONTEGO BAY, St James — THE Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) has lauded the Jamaica Observer for honouring teachers who have contributed to the country’s education system.

Noting that teachers are often vilified in the media, Doran Dixon, president — elect of the JTA, who was speaking at the newspaper’s recent Teachers’ Awards Luncheon at the Sandals Royal Hotel, thanked the Observer and sponsors Flow and Seprod, for staging the function.

“I want to congratulate Seprod, Flow and the Observer for recognising the teachers. Sometimes we get so much negative press that you think that it is either that the system is automatic in terms of what it produces, and the teacher doesn’t count,” Dixon argued. “So we want to thank you for the recognition being given to our teachers for the hard work that they do. And we look forward to the positive collaboration that keeps growing and growing and growing.”

The over 30 teachers feted and honoured were drawn from schools in western Jamaica which subscribe to the JOL educational publications, which feature weekly supplements produced by the newspaper — namely, Study Centre, Jr Study Centre and the Learning Corner.

In the meantime, Orville Warren of Seprod noted that the honour is in recognition of the difficult job being undertaken by the educators.

“Principals, teachers, your job is a challenging one and especially in this current climate it is even tougher. However, this function solidifies that you are being noticed,” said Warren.

And Taniki McKarthy, Flow’s representative noted that her company is committed to creating a better future for students by deploying cutting-edge technological solutions to primary and secondary schools across Jamaica.

“Specifically, our goal is to bridge the digital divide and in so doing create a level playing field where all Jamaicans have an equal opportunity to enhance education using technology,” McKarthy noted.