Education Minister Commends Teachers

Education Minister, Hon. the Rev. Ronald Thwaites, has commended teachers for their understanding and the professionalism that they have displayed as wage talks continue between the Government and public sector workers.

“The teachers have not disrupted class and they have been mature in expressing their desire for a quick settlement,” he said.

The Minister was speaking in an interview with JIS News at the Third Annual LASCO Releaf Environmental Awareness Programme (REAP) awards ceremony and luncheon, on June 3 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston.

REAP is an incentive-driven initiative that encourages students to participate in sustainable environmental practices, including tree planting, recycling, energy conservation and well-kept school and community environments.

Rev. Thwaites noted that over the years, there have been additions to the teachers’ take home pay; retroactive payment; annual increments, and regrading.

Meanwhile, in his address at the ceremony, Mr. Thwaites lauded the contribution of LASCO to the education sector through the REAP initiative.

“Education cannot be solely the affair of Government and parents. It requires everybody’s participation. The private sector (exemplified by LASCO Jamaica Limited Affiliated Companies) has an interest and indeed a commitment to improve and expand the concept of education,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill congratulated the winners of the award and urged them to continue the “very good work.”

The winning school was John Rollins Success Primary School in St. James, and the institution received a cash prize of $100,000, 10 computers and gift baskets.

Among the sponsors and partners of the event were Walkers Wood Caribbean Foods, RJR Communications Group and the Forestry Department.