WITH THE sudden calling off of strike action planned for Monday, some teachers and principals are complaining about the quality of the leadership within the Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA).
One teacher at a Corporate Area high school told The Gleaner that he and other teachers felt that the JTA has been inefficient in the performance of its duties.
"There is a lack of strength and proper representation in the JTA because they have failed to represent our wishes, have not communicated properly with us and have shown a level of weakness that has done away with any respect we might have had for them," he said.
He said within the staff room at his school on Monday, there was a general feeling of anger as, although most teachers were present, many did not know about the calling off of the strike until they woke up in the morning and saw it in the newspapers. The student turnout was quite low as only 300 of 1,000 children on roll turned up after hearing on Friday that there would be no school for the first two days of this week.
Though most schools apparently maintained normal activities, The Gleaner was informed that there appeared to be little taking place on the grounds of at least one other Corporate Area high school but, when contacted, that school's principal denied this was so. He admitted, however, that student turnout was low.
"The only abnormality has been the reduction in the number of students," said principal Ivan "Wally" Johnson of Kingston College with regard to activities at the school on Monday. He pointed out that less than 50 per cent of the student population was present. This he attributed to the students being informed, prior to the weekend, that teachers would not be in on Monday.
He said, however, that he was surprised to hear that other schools were reporting an acceptable attendance rate as, after being informed on Friday that action was planned, the JTA only announced on Sunday night that the strike was being called off.
BECOMING UNBEARABLE
The principal of an east Kingston primary school told The Gleaner that she was surprised to see a nearly 90 per cent attendance rate on Monday. She said, however that the actions being taken by the JTA were becoming unbearable.
"I have teachers who say they should accept it (government's wage offer) and move on. Just make sure to start the negotiations earlier next time," she said. "Some of them (teachers) feel the message has been sent and more action would be putting salt in a sore. After all, while the grass is growing the horse is starving."
On Sunday, JTA president Sadie Comrie asked teachers to suspend protest actions planned for this week until after the association meets with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security tomorrow (Thursday.) Mrs. Comrie said that, after the meeting, the JTA would inform members of further action. However, teachers at some schools have shown that they are willing to carry out demonstrations against the wishes of the association as there is a growing dissatisfaction with the efforts of the JTA.
