JTA remains opposed to mandatory summer school

The Jamaica Teachers Association has again rejected the Ministry of Education's proposal for mandatory summer school to address the learning loss caused by the covid-19 pandemic.

Education Minister Fayval Williams raised the matter again on Monday following the resumption of  face-to-face classes for students preparing for exit exams.

JTA President Jasford Gabriel reiterated on Monday night that his association was not in favor of  its members engaging in classes during the summer break, declaring that it would be unreasonable to ask teachers to extend their work period.

“Many of them have not left the (computer) screen since March of 2020 and it has taken a toll on the health and wellbeing and mental wellness of our teachers, and they are looking forward to the (Summer) break,” he said.

It was more important, he said, to have the teachers “refreshed and revitalized to take on the task that awaits us” in the new school year, starting in September, he said.

Parents

In contrast to the teachers organization, the National Parent Teacher Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ) has expressed "fulsome support" for the summer classes proposal.

Stewart Jacobs, Vice President of  the Association, told Radio Jamaica News that this would be useful approach to reduce learning loss, describing it as "most appropriate at this time."

He said there had been "limited or disrupted teacher contact time with students over the last year and a half," and therefore this proposal "makes quite a lot of sense."