A 'truer' view
published: Wednesday | July 9, 2003
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WOULD like to respond to the letter from the 'concerned Jamaican teacher',(July 7, 2003). The concern was titled 'Not a bed of roses'. I do understand the message that the concerned teacher has tried to put across and as a teacher myself who has entered the UK under similar contractual circumstances, I would like to create a 'truer' view on the issue.
I do agree that it is not 'a bed of roses' but if that was initially expected, then maybe the issue is that one has to be more deliberate in preparing themselves for transitions like these. I would like to share my example by simply saying that the moment I was sent the contract in Jamaica, I went on the web, did a check on the school, the community and about life in London. Not only that but I also sent e-mails for feedback from relatives and friends as to get a 'truer' picture of what teaching and living in the UK is like.
I would not discourage anyone to take up the opportunity. I am benefitting from it largely because of prior preparation. What I would want to do is to see how my being here will in turn benefit my country, and I am pleased to say that a number of Jamaican teachers are now in London working to make that a reality.
