Research teaching in the UK
published: Tuesday | April 18, 2006

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I AM a Jamaican-trained teacher living in the United Kingdom. I would like to encourage all the teachers in Jamaica to be strong and not to be lured by all the teaching agencies coming to Jamaica to recruit teachers. Before resigning their jobs and selling out all their belongings, they should ensure they ask all the relevant questions. For example, will I be paid as a qualified teacher? How much will my salary be? Will I be permanently employed or will I be employed on a supply basis?

After being in the U.K. for four and a half years, I have just been granted Qualified Teacher Status (Q.T.S.). The law of Britain states that no teacher should be teaching after four years if they do not have Q.T.S. There are several colleagues who came into the U.K. in 2001 when I came, and still have not been qualified. You are treated as an underdog, although our level of training in Jamaica is much better. I know everyone wants to earn some of the pounds. However, think of all the stress. Life in Jamaica is much better and the children in Jamaica are super compared to these here.

I am, etc.,

CAROL JUMPP-GRAHAM

casrolina@hotmail.com

Greenford, Middlesex

Via Go-Jamaica