The Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) is today move a resolution advising its members not to be involved in fund-raising activities to assist in financing the operation of schools.

Michael Stewart, president of the Association of Principals and Vice-Principals, who is to move the resolution, which was seconded by Clovis Tatham, told The Gleaner yesterday, ahead of the 44th annual conference of the JTA in St Ann, that teachers have been carrying out these activities for decades. However, he noted that the time has come for them to stop because it affects the teaching and learning process.

Stewart, who was last night recognised as the 2008/2009 president-elect of the JTA, told The Gleaner that he was not aware of any other professional body that embarks on any fund-raising activities to keep their doors open.

Extortion

Last month, Prime Minister Bruce Golding labelled as extortion, the practice of some schools to charge auxiliary fees outside of the government guidelines and to make those fees compulsory.

Golding said schools needed to go back to fund-raising activities to assist in the running of the island's schools. Stewart was peeved by Golding's pronouncements and demanded an apology. However, Golding has not publicly apologised. Nonetheless, Stewart said this resolution was in no way related to Golding's statement.

In fact, he noted that the resolution was drafted prior to the prime minister's statement.

However, Stewart said the fact that Golding made the statement made it even more relevant to reinforce the point that teachers should not be involved in fund-raising activities. He noted that these activities result in indiscipline in schools and many schools have become weary of continuing them.