Dear Editor,

A lot has been said recently regarding the teacher migration crisis and, on most occasions, the arguments surrounding poor salaries have led the discussion.

But, as the saying goes, money can’t buy love. Jamaicans simply do not love teachers enough, and unfortunately, they seem to have fallen out of love with us.

Teaching has never been a profession that yielded a high salary. This is not unique to Jamaica as, globally, teachers complain about being underpaid. It is one of those professions that, traditionally, people do for the love of it. I was blessed with some passionate teachers from basic school through to high school. They dressed well and did not appear to be struggling or poor. We went to their homes at times for free extra lessons, as they wanted us to excel. One could always see the pride on their faces when we did well. They were in it for love, and they knew we loved them.

Admittedly, times have changed, and as they say in the streets, the struggle is real. Therefore, a dollar can only stretch thus far. It is also true that some enter the profession nowadays as a means to an end, and when those needs are not met, tough decisions are made.

Still, I have long been concerned about the poor manner in which today’s society treats teachers. We can see it in the social media comments, whereby the teacher is never right, even when he or she stands the risk of being beaten to a pulp.

Students returned from a long COVID-19 break to wreak havoc in schools, so much so that there were discussions surrounding the possibility of arming teachers.

Where is the motivation for them to stay? When faced with a decision about a job you are underpaid to do and unappreciated for, it is quite straightforward — take the money and run!

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, where mass shootings are a reality. But, apparently, hundreds are willing to take the risk and find out for themselves. Money can’t buy love, but it can buy things we love and things that make us feel fulfilled.

While we clamour for salaries, let us also bring back the love to the classrooms, not only on Teacher’s Day but all year round. Let us give our teachers one less reason to leave.

Suzette Campbell

https://iamsuzettecampbell.com/