Dear Editor,

Now that August’s pay is out of the way, board chairs and principals should have a better understanding of the complement of teachers that they have to officially start the 2023-2024 academic year next Monday.

Likewise, Education Minister Fayval Williams should, in short order, update the country on the true number of teacher resignations and its impact on the education system. The last time she reported on this matter, she indicated that just over 400 teachers had resigned, but we knew that was an early call.

Numerous sectors and stakeholders have called for the Government to move with alacrity to stem the surge of teacher migration to foreign countries, often referred to as greener pastures. The National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica has suggested term limits and a quota system to alleviate the devastating effects of mass teacher migration. However, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association disagrees with this position, citing that the Government cannot impose such restrictions in an open market. Livern Wright, president of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, has recommended the employment of pretrained teachers, including sixth formers, to help fill the vacancies, but the public does not seem too pleased with this suggestion.

However, with this perpetual trend in teacher exodus, we cannot ignore the fact that this may become our reality. In fact, the situation is not unique to Jamaica as there are other countries in the region experiencing the same issue. In June, education minister in the British Virgin Islands Sharie De Castro said that her ministry was ready to employ interested sixth formers to teach certain subject areas. Although Jamaica graduates a few thousand university students yearly, the truth is that some subject areas continue to suffer gravely. We once thought that our main problem was a lack of specialists for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, but we now have a serious shortage of English language and literature and modern language teachers. With some countries offering an attractive relocation package, why would teachers think twice about migrating?

One of the main concerns raised by teachers is the inadequate compensation they receive, but is there any stopping the flow of teacher migration if they were offered an additional increase? The entire compensation package would have to be supported by other attractive benefits which would allow teachers to further their studies and be able to own a house and a vehicle, among other things.

We must understand that people do not need to settle when they have options. Why remain in a system or company when you can earn even up to 500 per cent more elsewhere? Our young people, and even more experienced teachers, are now more open-minded and brave to explore opportunities in extremely different cultures with different time zones and climatic conditions.

Several of my friends and colleagues who migrated to teach overseas were able to clear their student loan debts in a relatively short period, complete master’s degrees, get married and have children that they can support, and work on securing a house. In addition to that, some countries provide free or low-cost health care, safer environments, possibility to become permanent residents or citizens, and a good quality of life. On top of that, if you can move with your entire family, who is going to delay? A win is a win. Will Jamaica ever be able to match that?

I was also told that some teachers leave to escape their spouses or to enjoy the privileges of openly practising their sexual preferences in some of these other countries.

Despite these diverse realities, there are still many patriotic Jamaicans who believe in national development and will, therefore, remain. Let us improve the system for them, at least.

Oneil Madden

maddenoniel@yahoo.com