Dear Editor,

Across the country, many citizens and sectors are still trying to put the pieces back together in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, which occurred approximately a month ago. Jamaica Public Service (JPS), despite its efforts, has come under harsh criticism from both parliamentarians and customers due to the length of time it has taken the company to restore electricity in many areas.

Understandably, many things depend on having electric power, or ‘light’, as we say in Jamaica, which contributes to the efficiency of our daily operations. Hopefully, power will be restored in the remaining affected communities as soon as possible.

In addition to these communities, it did not go unnoticed that a number of our schools were also ravaged by the devastating hurricane, putting additional pressure on the Government and school administrators to expedite repairs for the upcoming academic year, which gets underway in a month’s time. Stakeholders are concerned whether these repairs will be done in time for September.

On top of wanting to ensure that students have ideal physical environments that are safe and conducive to learning, many school administrators equally have to think about filling numerous teaching vacancies attributable to teacher migration.

Many teachers continue to leave in droves to better-paying economies such as Great Britain, the United States of America, and Canada. An increasing number is also taking up offers in the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere. Last August, I wrote an opinion piece titled ‘Is there any stopping teacher migration?’ Whilst it is an obvious rhetorical question on the surface, it calls for deep reflection.

Many teachers are supporting each other. Those overseas share their experiences with those who are in Jamaica, encouraging them to leave. They even share vacancies with them and assist them with the immigration process. Even locally, support is given. Many heads of departments and principals encourage their teachers not to remain in Jamaica if they have found better opportunities in other jurisdictions. Although it is hard to lose good workers, senior colleagues understand the decisions of their juniors. Everyone is feeling the economic pinch. Why settle when there are systems out there that are paying up to four times the amount earned locally?

The education ministry has indicated that it will seek to recruit foreign teachers to fill some of the many vacancies. Already many local teachers are questioning if they will be paid the same salaries or given more.

Evidently, the education sector is in serious crisis, which requires sustainable and practical remedies, including better compensation for our teachers. The Jamaica Teachers’ Association will have its work cut out for it in the next negotiation cycle. But let’s first see what the outcome will be from the lawsuit brought against the association by its former president, La Sonja Harrison.

Oneil Madden

maddenoniel@yahoo.com