Dear Editor,

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) is celebrating 60 years of advocacy, which was marked by a church service and its annual conference, among other things. Incontestably, the JTA has championed many causes and has withstood the pressures of time, serving different epochs and generations of teachers as well as working under different successive governments with divergent ideologies of education.

Through their advocacy, it has been observed that they have been vocal over the years with respect to teacher remuneration and resources as well as funding given to schools and students to ensure that the system produces the best learners for the labour market and the society in general.

However, it is undeniable that the period of the infamous novel coronavirus pandemic really tested the capacity of the education system, and the effects are compounded, bearing in mind that different educational task forces have revealed or confirmed worrying gaps in our system.

The JTA still has to contend with these issues, even as it continues to lobby for better compensation and the reinstallation of certain allowances that were robbed under the Government’s restructuring of public sector compensation. In addition, the JTA has to equally focus on the disruptive enhancer called generative artificial intelligence and the number of teachers that continue to migrate to other countries.

Recent data published by the Jamaica Observer revealed that close to 500 qualified Jamaican teachers left the island last year for the United Kingdom. This figure does not include the many others who have left for the United States of America, Canada, and other countries. And you have guessed correctly, many more are expected to depart at the end of this academic year. I know a few of them. Indubitably, the JTA has some very critical issues to address.

However, I wish to question the extent to which the one-year tenureship of JTA presidents is sustainable. At their recently concluded education conference, which was held at the Ocean Coral Spring in Trelawny, they announced seven president-elect candidates who are vying for the top post for the 2025-2026 period. Apart from the three times in which only one nomination was cast — which is the case for Munroe College’s Mark Smith who will take over from Leighton Johnson — being head of the JTA seems to be a highly esteemed and enviable position. Is this why so many principals throw in their hats to be elected for the high seat? Most of them seem to want their names to be recorded in the annals. This is one of the reasons many today label the association as the Jamaica Principals’ Association (JPA). And whether Professor Errol Miller or Dr Garth Anderson wants to admit it, the JTA has been infiltrated by political bias.

What exactly can be achieved in one year? By the time you start warming up to the current president, it is time for him or her to go. Has Leighton Johnson achieved most of what he had in mind to attain? In any case, Johnson has restored some level of civility and professionalism to the JTA. Perhaps because by nature he is not loud and boisterous. He also touched on some key policy issues, including how schools are funded by the Ministry of Education and Youth – not to say this has never been raised before. However, his tone appears to be more of partnership and meaningful dialogue with the Government, as opposed to launching attacks.

Will his successor continue on this trajectory or will he bring his own agenda? This is not to suggest that he has a negative one. But could the JTA consider a longer tenure for its presidents? Each time new president-elects are announced, we ask: Again?

Oneil Madden

maddenoniel@yahoo.com