WESTERN BUREAU:

The Ministry of Education's Region Four office is moving to clampdown on the entrepreneurial ventures of teachers who are reportedly operating 'shops' in the classroom of several primary schools in Montego Bay, St James.

"Teachers are paid to teach and not to sell in classrooms," Devon Ruddock, Region Four director, told The Gleaner this week.

Soliciting business from students

Ruddock said he received a letter from a parent complaining about an incident in which some primary school teachers were soliciting business from students during their break and lunch periods.

The Gleaner received a copy of the letter, which was also copied to Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Education Minister Andrew Holness.

"Complaints from my son and my colleague's children revealed that they are literally being forced to buy from their teachers.

Ruddock said an investigation into the incident has been launched and used the opportunity to stress that the region did not support such activities.