Dear Editor,

“If a laff a pap up” is the frequently used Jamaican proverb that comes to mind when I read the opening sentence of Dr Kasan Troupe’s, acting chief education officer in the Ministry of Education, statement in the March 27, 2023 edition of the The Gleaner. I have admired Dr Troupe since the first time I heard her speak at a staff seminar many moons ago.

In her statement I read the words, “I want to encourage you, don’t give up on Jamaica.” It is the imperative part of the sentence that I find laughable. Don’t give up on Jamaica? Dr Troupe, why shouldn’t teachers give up on Jamaica when Jamaica has given up on us? Jamaican teachers are not paid enough to purchase properties abroad, hold dual citizenship, etc as some of our superiors in the public sector. If they can stay in Jamaica and deal in US or other foreign currencies, why shouldn’t teachers migrate to those places that allow them to do the same since that opportunity is not afforded them in their own country?

As at March 28, 2023 at 4:28 pm not one teacher at my institution has received his or her salary. Forget the retro for a second. We have not received our salaries!

At about 11:56 am it was explained that 11 bursar-paid schools in St Catherine were not paid. Teachers in regions three, four, and seven were similarly affected. Some schools have over 100 faculty members. Do the maths. Can you imagine how many teachers have been stressing themselves and looking out for their creditors?

All our payees have sent reminders of due dates for our bills. Some are now overdue; others become due in the next few days. Yet you ask us to not give up on Jamaica?

Teachers and other affected public sector workers will never give up on Jamaica. The land has never dealt harshly with them. What they will give up on is the oppressive and suppressive working conditions; the inability to meet their needs; and the possibility of being similarly disregarded in the future as they are now.

Here are a few of the experiences and comments teachers have been experiencing:

•Teachers’ bills will accrue interest, but they will have to pay them, even though the accrued interest is not their fault

•Teachers’ bills will pile up, but this is of no concern to the Government

•Teachers’ children will most likely miss a few days of school, but the Government does not care

•Teachers should pull from their non-existent savings and figure another way out of their situations

•Teachers should have put down something for rainy day

•Teachers should wait until the Government is ready to pay them because the Government had to wait until teachers were ready to sign the memorandum of understanding

This is the understanding of many today. So the real question to be asked is: Who is giving up on whom?

It is also said that every action brings forth a reaction. Migration is just the teachers’ reaction to the multiplicity of actions taken against them.

It does not feel good to listen to radio broadcasts or news reports saying teachers have been paid. If teachers have been paid, then who am I and the others who are yet to see one copper in our accounts?

Fake news is a real 21st century phenomenon. The powers that be need to present facts. Teachers would be a little more understanding if the facts were being presented.

As it is, they are being set up. How can it be publicly stated that teachers are paid but privately they are not!

Being called clowns, yam heads, and yam hills for not storming Jamaica House or the ministries of education and finance is not fair to teachers. They are not docile by choice. They have learnt their lesson and have realised that it is best to keep quiet so that “Backra Massa nuh lash dem harder next time”.

Natesha Lindsay

lindsay.natesh2@gmail.com