SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — People’s National Party (PNP) Vice-President Dr Angela Brown-Burke on Sunday appealed to teachers to vote for her party in the upcoming general election, promising a raft of benefits including motor vehicle concessions and student debt reductions.

Additionally, her colleague Natalie Neita-Garvey said the party has a plan to build houses and offer applicants downpayments on the units.

“To the teachers, I say to you: ‘When our canvassers come to your door, talk to them, give them your numbers so we can contact you. And whenever they call it [election]…, I ask all our teachers to step forward and help us rescue Jamaica and ensure a better life for all ah wi,” Brown-Burke said in her address to a PNP Women’s Movement rally at Manning’s School in Westmoreland.

“When you see the teachers out there, have a conversation with them, remind them of what the PNP is going to do for them in government. Ask them to listen carefully to the plans we have for them,” stated Brown-Burke who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for St Andrew South Western.

In an apparent move to establish the PNP’s long-standing link with teachers, Brown-Burke reminded the audience that late Governor General Sir Howard Cooke, a founding member of the party, was connected with the country’s first recognised trade union, the Jamaica Union of Teachers.

The union, which initially functioned as a professional association, later merged with four other unions to form the current Jamaica Teachers’ Association in 1964.

Brown-Burke also outlined policies and programmes implemented by previous PNP governments which, she said, benefited teachers and women in general, among them legislation introduced by the Michael Manley-led Government in 1975 that allowed for equal pay for equal work.

“Comrades, this law had a very profound impact on teaching and the teaching profession. You know why? Before that, female teachers were not paid the same as male teachers. They were paid less at the time, and that law revolutionised teaching and brought our women who were in the service to be able to get the same kind of pay,” stated Brown-Burke.

She said a Government led by Mark Golding, the current PNP president, will ensure that teachers receive debt reductions from their student loans, “because many of them are burdened right now, paying back the student loan”.

Additionally, she said a future PNP Government will reinstate motor vehicle concessions to teachers, adding that it will be increased with years of service.

Brown-Burke also promised that teachers will be provided with tablets and laptops, saying, “It’s about enhancing the outcome of our students because we’re tired to see our children leaving primary school not being able to read and write. We want to have a supportive learning environment and ultimately, Comrades, this will help us to develop a stronger, well-skilled, and resilient society — so it affects all of you.”

Neita-Garvey, in her presentation, spoke about the party’s plan to construct 50,000 houses of which people under 35 years old will get a $500,000 grant to make a downpayment on the houses.

For those building on government land, the party will offset the cost of the land, she said, and used as an example a house being sold for $9 million.

“The PNP said if the land is $3 million, they are going to take off the $3 million off the $9 million so you will only pay $6 million for that house,” explained Neita-Garvey. “And, don’t forget, if you are under 35 it will be $6 million minus $500,000. So, you are only going to be paying $5.5 million.”