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Opposition Spokesperson on Education Damion Crawford has suggested that the government use access to housing as a method to retain experienced teachers.
He said teachers have often reported that access to housing is a major concern.
On Monday, Education Minister Fayval Williams disclosed that 167 public sector teachers have resigned since July.
Mr. Crawford said, similar to what is done by the private sector, the government should provide incentives, such as housing, to teachers in order to slow the rate of brain drain.
The opposition spokesman, who was speaking Wednesday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106, argued that "even if 50 per cent [of teachers] should take up this offer, it would be way within the affordability of the government's budget".
Struggle will continue
But financial analyst Dennis Chung has said the government will struggle to properly compensate educators and stem teacher migration due to the downturn in the economy.
He explained that government revenues depend on productivity output.
Similarly, he argued that productivity output is also essential for teachers, which is why he had in the past suggested that educators be paid based on performance in order to "keep your best teachers in the classroom".
Mr. Chung, however, recalled that the proposal was rejected by the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA).
He said the fact that "most people cannot afford a good education and most people in Jamaica have very low income levels" would not be addressed unless or until the economy grows.
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