KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Minister of Education, Fayval Williams, has announced the creation of 5,045 post codes that will see teachers employed in temporary positions appointed to permanent posts.

Speaking in the Sectoral Debate at Gordon House on Tuesday, Williams disclosed that Cabinet has given its approval for the appointment of classroom teachers, senior teachers, master teachers, health and family life education (HFLE) teachers, numeracy specialists, teachers aides, teachers assistants and non-academic staff who have been teaching or working in the education system for many years without security of tenure, some for five, 10 or more years.

“They will be regularised. We are doing a finalisation of the data and then letters will be prepared,” Williams said.

She said that on the non-academic side, “there are many watchmen and women at our schools, cooks, secretaries, caregivers, who will also be receiving letters with their post code information that will give them security of tenure in the education sector”.

“We appreciate the work that you do at all rungs of the educational ladder. We know that when you are working in a position without a post code, your employment future is uncertain. Every position in government is supposed to have a post code. This ensures that you can obtain your pension and other benefits (increments, appointments, etc).” Williams continued.

The minister noted that many in the education sector get to retirement without a post code and find it difficult to access their pension.

“Trying to regularise it at retirement can be frustrating and quite lengthy and leaves the employee without income post-retirement,” Williams acknowledged.

“To the 5,045 education sector, academic and non-academic human beings who will be receiving post codes, we acknowledge and validate you,” she declared.