You are wrong, Dr Davies
published: Friday | August 19, 2005

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I AM a past student of Jones Town Primary and Charlie Smith (Comp.) High and I was shocked when I heard the Member of Parliament for South St. Andrew, Dr. Omar Davies state that the teaching staff of five schools in his constituency were not giving value for money to the society. First was the youth, now it's the teachers. Who are you going to blame next, Mr. Minister, for the deterioration of your constituency? When you needed help to get to Parliament they supported you. They now need your help, do not write them off.

Are you aware of the sacrifices these teachers make each day to be present in jobs no one else wants because of the location and the unpredictable violence? Do you know of the risk they take when violence erupts without warning and there is no means of transport for them to and from these schools? The teachers should be commended for going beyond the call of duty to achieve what they have, given the conditions that they have to endure, moreso when the area is volatile.

Dr. Davies, I never expected this from you. The job of the teachers is not being made any easier by these comments on the political platform. Even though your concerns might be genuine, the forum was wrong and I hope you accept that it was wrong. Use your ministry to create an environment that the teachers will perform free from fear as they want to do. These are some of your responsibilities. The teachers are not irredeemable, but if you continue to beat them down using your political platform, they just might end up like the youth, irredeemable. To the teachers, I say you have taught me well and thank you all.

I am, etc.,

H. HAMILTON

Portmore Pines

St. Catherine