LUCEA, Hanover – The new school year got off to a fairly good start in Hanover on Monday despite some schools being impacted by the resignation of teachers.

Principal of the 246-year-old Rusea’s High School, Donna Anderson said her institution had resignations from a mathematics and a science teacher, while a temporary position is available for a social studies teacher.

The principal said it will be more challenging to fill the vacancy of the temporary position for a teacher who is on long leave.

“What I find happening [is that] because of the shortage of teachers, no one wants the eight-month position anymore, so that’s where the challenge is. [If] they realise it’s a clear vacant position, they would rather take it,” explained Anderson.

Commenting on the education ministry’s draft grooming policy, the Rusea’s principal said:

“[The ministry’s proposed policy] falls in line with what we have already so it’s not a level of difficulty for us, as there is not much difference in terms of what the ministry stipulates and what we would have had previously.

“And then, the thing is, our rules would always be aligned with what the ministry would have said and the feedback from parents so it wasn’t an isolated case where we just made our rules and we had a major reaction. It was always that we were in line with what the ministry would have,” emphasised Anderson.

At Green Island High School, Principal Maxine Evans said her institution got off to a good start. She also said her school is impacted by the sudden resignation of teachers.

Jamaica Teachers’ Association, Hanover Chapter President Tamara Shaw said other schools in the parish were off to a fair start, except for vacancies created by the resignation of teachers. She, however, did not provide details.