Dear Editor,

Is it that Jamaica has become the hub for well-trained teachers? What a compliment it is to our tertiary institutions and our teachers themselves that they are in such high demand worldwide. As a country we did something right. Our education system has produced some of the best educators in the world.

I acknowledge the disadvantages of this exodus of teachers from Jamaica and, yes, I strongly support that everything should be done to make our teachers see facilitating the nation’s children as the most viable option. What if we took a minute to look at the flip side?

We cannot be upset that our teachers are leaving and question their patriotism. No, remember for years other professionals and skilled workers have seen America as the land of opportunity. But remember, too, that the USA faces a similar education crisis and is seeking answers as well. It’s just that one of their solutions has created a problem for our education system. Is there any benefit in this for us? Before we decide that this is enough for the Minister of Education Fayval Williams to resign, let us be practical.

Let us think for one minute of the remittances. The economic reality is that Jamaica will benefit from this teacher migration financially. Over the years remittances have contributed significantly to the Jamaican economy, so this could be seen as another boost. One could then ask the question: Am I placing finance before the nation’s children? The resounding answer is no. But the reality, too, is that America now offers a better salary package than Jamaica and that’s a major pull factor. So what then can we as a country do to provide the quality education that our country deserves and allow our well-sought-after teachers to pursue their goals? Remember, no democratic Government can force the teachers to stay.

Moving forward, we need to market education degrees as a viable option for our high school graduates. They must be presented as a lucrative option to our school leavers and the career days in high schools need to be hijacked by teachers’ colleges. In fact, open days in teachers’ colleges should be flooded with high school students through partnerships. It may just be time to remove the stepping stone stigma from teaching. It is time to produce enough teachers to deliver locally and internationally. The agriculture sector has learnt how to coexist with the farm work programmes. Maybe the education sector needs to start exploring and investing.

I hear the argument about the industrial departments, and I strongly agree we should not have to cut those programmes from our school system. What if we could find a way for the Vocational Training Development Institution (VTDI) to cater to the needs of the level three graduates in an accelerated course and then offer additional mentorship on the job from the most experienced facilitators? What about industry professionals? Any room for them in structured guest tutoring?

Therefore, until we can provide the concessions, better salaries, excellent facilities, and adequate resources which are so well deserved, we must realise that this is our reality and education must now be approached from a solution-oriented perspective. While we need quick fixes, it is time to start preparing for one of our biggest tests yet. Could our captain then continue to steer us if she has all hands on deck?

Kalehia Johnson

Kalehiajohnson@gmail.com