THE EDITOR, Sir:AS EVIDENCED by the constant griping about holidays for teachers, many Jamaicans are uncomfortable with the fact that schools go on holidays. For the Ministry of Education, students go on holidays while teachers are on call. Hence, during this so-called holiday period teachers are available for seminars, workshops, meetings, marking of examination papers, or whatever the Ministry desires.
However, as far as the Ministry of Finance is concerned, teachers are on holidays when schools are, and this is taken into account when working out salaries for teachers. Therefore, holidays are a part of a teacher's pay package. This situation is obviously untenable, and the constant reference to this grand vacation period that teachers have further exacerbates the problem.
It is time to settle this issue. Schools are no different from factories, financial institutions, parks and markets or any other entity within the society; hence, there is no good reason for schools to go on holidays. I am proposing that all schools be opened five days per week for eight hours each day. Schools should only be closed on Saturdays and Sundays and on public holidays. Thus, teachers would have a 40-hour work week. Their leave should be subject to the same terms and conditions as that of other government workers. Their salaries should be calculated with this in mind.
After we have settled the issue of schools going on holidays and removing the overly generous leave opportunities for teachers, we should turn our attention to the matter of Parliament, Parish Councils and courts taking recess. We need to stop the griping before it starts.
I am, etc.,
WINNIE ANDERSON-BROWN
winab@cwjamaica.com
Bagatelle District
Ashley P.A., Clarendon
