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Teachers Should Not Fear Teaching Council Bill – Education Minister

By: , August 20, 2015

The Key Point:

Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, says the nation’s public school teachers have nothing to fear when the proposed Jamaica Teaching Council Bill becomes law.
Teachers Should Not Fear Teaching Council Bill – Education Minister
New President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), Norman Allen (left), at the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) annual general conference, held at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa, in Montego Bay. Others (from second left) are: President –elect, Howard Isaacs and Immediate Past President, Doran Dixon (partially hidden).

The Facts

  • The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) members have expressed concern that the proposed Bill will be to the disadvantage of its members, when promulgated into law.
  • Rev. Thwaites told the teachers that the final draft of the Bill is now ready for scrutiny and further action by the Legislative Committee of the Cabinet.

The Full Story

Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, says the nation’s public school teachers have nothing to fear when the proposed Jamaica Teaching Council Bill becomes law.

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) members have expressed concern that the proposed Bill will be to the disadvantage of its members, when promulgated into law.

“All of the considerations put forward by the Jamaica Teachers’ Association have been taken into careful account and my understanding is that most of these have been acceded to.  The Jamaica Teaching Council Bill is not to be feared, it is to be celebrated as an aspect of the professionalism of your occupation,” the Minister told JTA members at their 51st annual general conference in Montego Bay, on August 19.

“This is an opportunity to step up and to add full lustre to the regard, dignity, standards, responsibilities and to the entitlements of the teachers of Jamaica,” he added.

Rev. Thwaites told the teachers that the final draft of the Bill is now ready for scrutiny and further action by the Legislative Committee of the Cabinet.

During his inaugural speech after his installation, new President of the JTA, Norman Allen, said the Bill should be withdrawn because if it is enacted into law, it would jeopardise the jobs of teachers, because it was designed to punish educators.

However, the Minister said many of the concerns which were raised by the JTA have been addressed, insisting that the Bill will go a far way in raising the standards of teaching.

Rev. Thwaites said the Bill has been subjected to rigorous scrutiny, and lauded the JTA for its contribution to its modification.

Last Updated: August 20, 2015

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