Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Ena Barclay

The Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) yesterday said it was prepared to work with the new government to ensure that the welfare of teachers and students is addressed.

Preliminary results in the general election held on Monday show that the Bruce Golding-led Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) won the nation's 15th general election since Universal Adult Suffrage in 1944.

"Whatever the outcome of the general election, the JTA is quite prepared to continue working with the Ministry of Education and Youth in the interest of the teachers andstudents in particular," Ena Barclay, president of the JTA told The Gleaner yesterday.

Henry's 'campaigning'

Mrs. Barclay's comments follow statements made last week by Hopeton Henry, immediate past president of the JTA, at the JTA's annual conference in Ocho Rios, St. Ann. Mr. Henry had urged teachers to "use your head" and "stay the course" - a popular slogan in the People's National Party's (PNP) campaign. He also told the educators to vote for the party that has done the most for education.

The JTA on Sunday distanced itself from this statement, claiming that Mr. Henry was expressing his personal views.

"The JTA wishes to categorically state to the country that it does not endorse political parties ... ," the current JTA president said Sunday. "The association does not allow for such endorsement. The JTA remains non-political, non-sectarian and non-denominational."

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com