THE EDITOR, Sir:KINDLY GRANT me space in your prestigious newspaper.
I deeply crave the indulgence of all teachers of honest thoughts, balanced judgement and goodwill.
The long drawn out 'bar talk' and 'piecemeal' deal between the government and the JTA has gone way too far out of line. The JTA should be called to book and made to pay dearly for the ineffective way they have been handling the negotiations.
I don't believe in holding people at ransom, but it is the only way one can get anything of substance out of any government in Jamaica for teachers. The JTA knew there was going to be a general election from as early as March of 2002. Negotiations for the new contract period I believed started from as early as March 2002. Now at the end of 2002 the JTA has nothing to tell us that seems to make sense.
To put it bluntly, the ineptness of the JTA is certainly one of the natural causes of the miserable economic condition teachers find themselves in today. We should never give over $2,000 to the JTA for its members to go and 'profile.'
The JTA is simply not serving the general interest of teachers and we must put a stop to it once and for all. Education is too important for teachers not to be paid a reasonable salary. We deserve it because we have worked for it.
All well thinking individuals must rise and realise that without the most committed and comfortable set of teachers, this country is going nowhere. Let us resolve to treat this issue with a collective sense of urgency and purpose. We can do it. Develop the will to climb the hill.
In concluding, I call on all teachers and honest thoughts and goodwill to do all in their powers to isolate individuals who would want to use the profession for self-aggrandisement. I challenge the leadership of the JTA to be more responsive to the views of the 'common teachers.' As I said to Mr. Paul Adams some weeks ago, "There is a wind of discontent blowing at the bottom of the ladder that will not only rock the foundation of the JTA, but it will severely damage the engine of education."
I am, etc.,
ANDRE WELLINGTON
Manchester
