KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information says it is pleased to announce that increments to 90 per cent of public school teachers have been paid.

The remaining teachers will see their increments reflected in June, the ministry advised in a statement on Thursday. “This early payment reflects the ministry’s ongoing commitment to valuing the contribution of our educators,” it said.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, welcomed the move. “Teachers are at the heart of our transformation agenda. This timely gesture reinforces the respect we have for their work and our intention to make the teaching profession more attractive and rewarding,” she said.

For her part, the Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Fayval Williams noted that this early disbursement was made possible through prudent fiscal management and improved administrative processes. “We understand the financial pressures many families face, and by advancing the funds to ministry, we are easing the burden and providing our teachers with added support as they prepare for the new school year,” she said.

Dr Kasan Troupe, Permanent Secretary in the education ministry, also commended the initiative. “The early disbursement of salary increments is a testament to the work we are doing to improve our administrative processes”.

“I would like to publicly express a big thank you to the staff for going above and beyond the call of duty to exceed the target for the month of May. Consequently, the public can be assured that all our teachers will be paid within the window approved by the finance ministry,” she added.

According to the ministry, the early payment of increments is part of the Government’s broader effort to strengthen the education sector, retain talent, and motivate excellence in the classroom.