Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Jamaica Teachers' Association president Ruel Reid leads the recession after the 42nd Annual Conference church service at the Morant Bay Parish Church, St. Thomas, yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Salaries and fringe benefits for teachers and the readiness of schools for the new academic year will be the key issues on the agenda at the 42nd annual conference of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), which gets under way this morning at the Sunset Jamaica Grade Resort and Spa, Ocho Rios, St. Ann.

In addition, outgoing president of the JTA, Ruel Reid, said most of the deliberation will be centred on the theme of the conference: 'Promoting Responsible Citizenship Through Education'. "This as we seek to deliver quality education to our children," he said.

In dialogue

Mr. Reid told The Gleaner yesterday that he was in dialogue with the Ministry of Finance and it is expected that a formal response would be given today on whether the Government will be giving the island's more than 22,000 public sector teachers a $30,000 per year book allowance.

Professor Nigel Harris, vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies, (UWI), Mona, will be the keynote speaker at today's first session.

During a function that starts at 8 o'clock tonight, Hopeton Henry, principal of Seaforth High School, St. Thomas, will be installed as the 39th president of the JTA. Ena Barclay, principal of Lyssons Primary in St. Thomas, will be proclaimed as president-elect of the association and Mr. Reid will deliver his outgoing address.

There will be several business sessions tomorrow. If the Government gives the JTA an improved offer in writing, delegates will vote on this offer.

On Wednesday, Maxine Henry-Wilson, Minister of Education and Youth, and her team will address issues affecting the education system.