The Editor, Sir:

I sit here this morning, a teacher of 20 years and a frustrated and insulted nation builder of this society and country. Even as the upper echelon of the Jamaica Teachers' Association voted yesterday for the "scare benefits" the Government of this country offered, I was not paid my salary on the designated day, October 23-24.

It is sad sir, because I, too, could have followed the mass of teachers who left for betterment in foreign lands, but I chose to stay, for I believed there had to be someone who had to make the sacrifice for our children's future.

The society holds the profession in little regard. People are failing to see the importance of our service day by day to this country.

Touched, shaped many lives

We may not have been able to save all as the country wishes, but we have touched and shaped many lives, along with preventing some who would have become a menace to this society. It time we, society and this nation realise our worth, before it too late.

The Jamaica Teachers' Association has failed to rally for its mass of teachers, the 'divide and rule' principle still rules. There are those of us, who are still going home with nothing or that which cannot suffice for the month. There are teachers who cannot purchase a home after 15 or more years of service, teachers who having retired cannot survive on the pension they receive.

Wake up JTA, wake up society, wake up Jamaica, Our teachers are the cornerstones of our nation. If we fail to provide for them and to treat them with the highest esteem, we are heading for failure in all facets of this society.

I am, etc.,

ANN GREEN

k-leo-10@hotmail.com

Via Go-Jamaica