PORT MARIA, St Mary — Six basic school teachers from the north-eastern section of the country have each received a little under $170,000, a way to help defray some of the costs of pursuing higher education.

They are among about 50 early childhood practitioners islandwide who have benefitted.

Awardees are expected to prompt their peers to apply for the Tertiary Grant for Basic School Teachers, one of the benefits coming out of the stormy compensation review.

Speaking on behalf of recipients, Terry-Ann Hutchinson — who has about 17 years of teaching under her belt and is now pursuing a master’s degree in education psychology — pointed to the grant as one of the many benefits of membership in the JTA., and ncouraged new teachers to join. Her call comes within the context of turbulence within the group as some disgruntled teachers who wished to cease being members complained that the association was making it difficult for them to leave.

During a brief awards ceremony at the JTA’s Port Maria office last week, President La Sonja Harrison charged recipients to be ambassadors for the association. The grants are being awarded under the theme of ‘Brick by Brick: Build Early Childhood Quick!’

“It’s a matter of urgency. Our nation must respond urgently to this particular sector if it is we are going to abate putting in monies to do all the remedial advertising we do at high school and at the secondary level. It takes cash to care,” said Harrison.

“We won this particular item through negotiation under the presidency of Mr Winston Smith, our current immediate past president,” she added.

An elated Hannallee Whilby, who has taught at Nine Miles Basic School in St Ann for 10 years, told the Jamaica Observer what the recognition means to her.

“I must say thanks to the JTA family for giving me this push. I am grateful. This grant will help me to clear up my expenses,” said the second-year student at The University of the West Indies. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and family studies.

Four award ceremonies have already taken place in the JTA regions of west, south-central, north-east, and south-east. To be considered, teachers had to be participants in an accredited course and establish that they were in need of assistance. The Ministry of Education has responsibility for allocation of the funds.