Caribbean Union of Teachers supports JTA’s stance against JTC Bill
KINGSTON, Jamaica -The Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) in a statement on Friday expressed its full solidarity with the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) amid their call for necessary changes to the Jamaica Teaching Council Bill.
The bill was passed in the Upper House on April 25, 2025 and received almost immediate pushback from the JTA, with president Mark Smith describing it as a betrayal.
READ: Smith warns against passing Travesty of JTC Bill
“CUT stands firmly with the JTA in its efforts to ensure that the legislation governing the teaching profession in Jamaica is fair, equitable, and developed through meaningful consultation with the representatives of the nation’s educators,” the regional organisation said.
CUT indicated that it has been closely monitoring the developments surrounding the Bill and highlighted the critical importance of robust and independent teacher representation in the legislative process.
“CUT believes that effective legislation concerning the teaching profession must be the product of comprehensive dialogue and negotiation between the government and the teachers’ union. The expertise and perspectives of practicing teachers, as represented by the JTA, are invaluable in shaping policies that are practical, implementable, and ultimately beneficial to the quality of education and the well-being of educators,” it said.
The body urged local policymakers to heed the calls of the JTA, re-engage in constructive discussions, and work collaboratively to address the identified issues in the Bill.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has stressed that the bill is not to punish educators.
