Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness on Wednesday emphatically defended the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) Bill, saying the legislation was “not an attempt to control teachers”.

Speaking during a tour of The Mico University College in St Andrew, the prime minister declared teachers as the “bedrock of any progressive society”, but said while educators have often been celebrated in words in Jamaica, they have not always been given the structural support needed to thrive.

“That is why the Government is pursuing the Jamaica Teaching Council legislation,” Holness said, adding, “Let me state this plainly, this is not an attempt to control teachers, this is a national effort to uplift, upgrade, and professionalise teaching in Jamaica.”

The Bill, passed by the Senate on April 25, formally establishes teaching as a regulated profession in Jamaica, creating a statutory body responsible for maintaining a register of teachers, defining their roles, and overseeing professional conduct. It is now scheduled for debate in the House of Representatives.

However, it has faced intense backlash from the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) and the Opposition, who argue that it is excessively punitive.

On Sunday, JTA President Dr Mark Smith called the passing of the Bill in its current form a “betrayal”, arguing that the legislation appears more focused on control than support.

On Wednesday, Holness addressed concerns raised about aspects of the Bill and assured teachers that his Administration is open to meaningful dialogue to address the issues.

“I understand that change can be uncomfortable,” Holness said. “But I want to assure every teacher, aspiring educator, and stakeholder in the education sector that this is a process based on partnership, not punishment. It is about building trust and creating systems that empower educators to do their best work and to be recognised and rewarded for it.”

Despite the pushback, he noted that the drive to professionalise teaching is not new, referencing the Task Force on Educational Reform (2004), led by Dr Rae Davis, which explicitly called for such changes.

He also pointed to the more recent recommendations from the Education Transformation Commission, chaired by Professor Orlando Patterson, which argued that Jamaica’s education system cannot reach world-class standards without elevating the teaching profession.

“Our children deserve no less. They deserve the best, and so do our teachers,” said Holness.