Dear Editor,

I write in response to a letter published in the Jamaica Observer on May 29, 2023 titled ‘JTA’s conduct is unbecoming!’ written by Brian Nunes. The general article expresses disapproval of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA); its president, LaSonja Harrison; teachers in general; and the recent strike action called by the JTA.

I must say, Nunes, that my parents did not raise me to be a liar; hence, I have to be true to myself. I do not support your stance. I am sorry that your daughter, who is currently sitting her Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams, lost two days of learning due to the strike. I trust that she stayed home and revised the syllabus that should have already been completed.

On the issue of the JTA not concerning itself with the whole education system, I think you are giving them too much load to carry. Unions are about the business of their members, please note, it is not the Jamaica Education System Association, it is a teachers’ association.

Nunes, you mentioned that most Jamaicans were shocked at the reason given for the teachers’ strike. I am really not sure if “most” Jamaicans live here in Jamaica or in the Diaspora, because the word on the street is that the whole Jamaica, not just the teachers, should have taken action.

The letter made reference to teachers missing classes at a prominent boys’ school in St Andrew and implied that it was due to their side hustle. The comparison was then made to a policeman who operates a taxi as a side hustle without missing work. I will say that I am not in support of teachers missing work to engage in their side hustles, but the question is: Does their side hustle coincide with them teaching between 7:30 am and 2:30 pm? If so, who are they teaching and which parents are sending their child(ren) to those side hustle classes during regular school hours? Let me ask: Does your husband sleep on the job after doing the extra work to earn additional income to maintain his family?

You expressed sympathy for the teachers but blamed the JTA and teachers, calling their strike for discrepancies in their salaries unbecoming. Nunes, if you were to look back over the past year, you should recall the numerous meetings, outcries, sit-ins, and other efforts made to have the Government offer them a dollar amount that makes sense. It is sad but has been proven true that peacefully standing on the sidewalk with eloquently written placards does little to make your voice heard. The teachers — who are humans — are the bedrock of this nation and should never have had to strike over what they have more than worked for.

The letter proposed that principals and teachers should be separately classified in order to lift the standard of leadership in education to void the issue of moral authority. In this day and age employers are more in favour of rounded individuals, hence a principal with teaching experience is a plus, which only helps to benefit the education system. Recall the words of the Prime Minister Andrew Holness when he said a great way to lift standards is to increase pay.

The letter further stated that the JTA is against accountability, may be political, and is using the public discord over politicians’ salary hike to reopen its own salary dispute. The JTA has nothing to do with that. In regard to the teachers accounting for the largest share of the Government’s wage bill, are you suggesting that the teachers work for free or are you suggesting that the Government reduces the number of teachers?

The article also mentioned that classroom teachers’ pay, in some instances, almost doubled. It would have been smoother sailing if evidence of these doubled salaries were provided. We can reasonably agree that there should be accountability; however, we cannot overlook the issues causing the JTA and the teachers to be disgruntled.

These are some of the reasons why our teachers are leaving the island for other jurisdictions. This benefits the country in remittances but is detrimental in the area of brain drain. The issue is simple, just pay the teachers liveable wages, not stipends.

Hezekan Bolton

h_e_z_e@hotmail.com