Give teachers a liveable wage, please
Dear Editor,
“Please, Sir, I want some more,” is a famous line from the Charles Dickens classic Oliver Twist.
It is quite an inapt stitch that teachers, the pillars upon whom this great nation is being built, are in the position of asking for a few more dollars to at least give them a chance to survive in these harsh and unforgiving economic times.
As it stands, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association and the union representing the police officers are currently negotiating compensation packages for their members.
The various offers tabled have so far been unanimously repudiated by the teachers. One can contend that innumerable individuals from the public will unfortunately stereotype the educators as greedy and politically aligned.
However, an objective analysis of this predicament will vindicate the educators’ stance against the borderline disrespectful offer proposed by the Ministry of Finance. At no point did the teachers clamour for wages that would afford them the opportunity to move to an upscale apartment in the Kingston 6 area or a salary that would empower them to walk into the Audi dealership and drive out with a 2023 model car.
All educators are asking for is a liveable salary. A salary that can furnish them with the purchasing power to cover monthly bills and allow them to see the fruits of their labour. Teachers have invested millions into acquiring the necessary accreditation, it is only fair that they are compensated accordingly.
Please, Minister of Finance Dr Nigel Clarke, can teachers get a little bit more on their salaries?
Over to you officials.
Mikhail A Graham
mikhailgraham@yahoo.com