As the issue of teachers deserting the public school system for better options overseas continues to remain front and centre in the crisis affecting the education sector, there is a call for Government to ensure that if it asks retired educators to help fill the gaps they must be fully compensated and exempted from statutory deductions.

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) says it is wary of teachers returning at a time in their lives when some may not be physically up to the rigours of the current classroom environment as it relates to students with maladaptive and other negative behaviours.

There have been discussions for some time now about re-engaging retired teachers, and early last week the parliamentary Opposition urged the education ministry to reduce bureaucracy so that retired educators and pre-trained teachers can fill vacant teaching posts in the short term.

“These people who come back should not pay any statutory deductions and should get their full salary because they would have already reached the point of getting their pension because they’re pensioners,” JTA President Winston Smith argued in an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Friday.

“If you now bring back these teachers into the system, what [are the] benefits outside of the basic salary? Will their additional working time contribute to their pension? Will these persons be paid their full salary without any statutory deductions? These are concerns I have,” Smith said.

He said that, if the Government decides to engage retirees, this is even more reason for the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) Bill to be pursued no further, and instead, promulgate an education infrastructure development bill.

“This would serve the country better than a JTC Bill because we are in a crisis and we have to now find a way to stem this outflow and make the profession attractive,” he insisted.

It was the second time in a week that Smith had taken aim at the JTC Bill which seeks to recognise and promote teaching as a profession and contribute to improving the quality of teaching and learning in Jamaica by regulating the entry and standing of teachers.

Last Tuesday, Smith had suggested that the Government develop another initiative, temporarily, in place of the JTC Bill.

“Change the whole pursuit of the JTC Bill, not abandon it, but put it on pause and replace it with an education infrastructure development bill so you decide how you’re going to fix education to make it more attractive and a priority, because right now we are struggling to attract young, bright minds in the teachers colleges,” he said.

On Friday, Smith said that, while some retirees may be willing to take up the jobs for financial reasons, the JTA is concerned about retired teachers being exposed to harm.

“We are not in support of asking retired teachers to re-enter the classroom because such a move could be counter-productive and expose these hard-working educators to students who oftentimes display serious behaviour problems, for example the Tivoli High School incident with that teacher,” Smith said, referencing an altercation between a teacher and a student at that school that turned physical and resulted in the student being charged with assault.

“It exposes our members to a certain level of professional harm. Remember, when you reach 65 you leave the system because the law says you’re physically or mentally incapable of staying longer, so why would you want somebody who you told that they’re not good enough to stay in the system to come back because you don’t want to pay the current people proper salary?” he argued.

As for the ministry’s response to what is now being called an exodus of Jamaican teachers to take up jobs overseas, Smith said the policymakers may genuinely not be aware of just how many teachers are leaving as they can only speak on the numbers that are presented in terms of actual resignations.

Sources say there are many instances in which teachers go on earned leave and use those months to “test” the system in other jurisdictions where they are interested in taking jobs, which means the ministry would not have accurate numbers until it becomes apparent that these teachers do not intend to return following their vacation. This could be months into the school year.

According to JTA estimates, more than 400 teachers have already exited the public school system during the current summer period in favour of jobs abroad. Many more already have their feet out the door, Smith said.

“There is a severe shortage of teachers worldwide, [and] the teachers of Jamaica are seen by these players internationally as among the best in the world. Therefore, the recruiters will be coming to Jamaica to get as much as possible from us. People are saying, ‘If they don’t want to stay in the classroom, why they don’t go?’ Well, we are taking their advice,” he said.

The JTA also wants the ministry to expedite the appointment of all teachers where there are clear vacancies, and grant time off to those teachers who are eligible and have applied for vacation leave.