By Petrina Francis, Education ReporterOCHO RIOS, St. Ann: THE MINISTRY of Finance will be refunding teachers from whose salaries deduction were made to cover overpayments made to them almost 10 years ago.
Wentworth Gabbidon, president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association, told delegates at the 40th annual conference of the Jamaica Teachers' Association yesterday that he had received a letter from the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday stating that the Ministry will refund the money this month. They will be given two separate cheques and will be advised at a later date when the others will be refunded.
Mr. Gabiddon told delegates that "we are pleased because we felt that all along that we were on the right path".
Meanwhile, Principal of the Stony Hill Primary and Junior High, Polly Bowes-Howe believes that the government made a good move when they decided to write off the money that was overpaid to the teachers. "It was done because of an error. Why should these teachers be penalised? This is an eye opener, they (the Ministry of Education) are going to be more careful in future", she said.
"I think it was a good decision. They have reached a conciliatory position especially in light of the fact that the teachers have bought into the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding). I believe it was quite timely", added Michael Stewart, Principal of Rose Hall All-Age in St. Elizabeth,
