THE EDITOR, Sir:I MUST confess that I am a little bit confused on the recommendations floating around regarding pay or not to pay teachers according to their performance.
The question I would like to ask the Task force on Education is will this pay by performance be regarded as increment on the teacher's basic salary? I am now going to assume that it will be increment. Therefore the teachers will have a basic salary, according to their qualifications, and anything added after that will be solely on how they perform or how the children are perceived to have assimilated what was taught.
Let's not fool ourselves, we all know that in every system or situation no matter what is done some people will not be motivated by it. Some teachers will be satisfied to take home their basic pay package not caring about any increase or better performance. In other words, these people are in their comfort zones and no one or anything will motivate them to move. Am I to assume that these teachers will continue to operate in the system without increased pay? That would be fine if it were solely their problem. But what of the precious children they teach? Will our children be made to continue to stagnate under these unmotivated teachers? I am just curious to know what will the Task force recommend.
The JTA, through Mr. Wentworth Gabbidon, has recommended that all teachers be paid properly but that those who do not perform should be flushed out of the system. I like the thought, or concepts if you would prefer to call it that, but the question is will the law allow for this flushing out? Will teachers begin to demonstrate if they are told that their employment will be terminated for lack of performance?
I really hope that the pros and cons of each position will be carefully analysed so that whatever is arrived at will not cause any serious repercussion to teachers, the future of education in Jamaica, and to our precious children.
I am, etc.,
DR. MONICA BURGHER
Kildare, Buff Bay, Portland
