Senate approves bill to establish Jamaica Teaching Council

 

The Senate has approved a proposed law that will formally establish the Jamaica Teaching Council, which will regulate the profession and issue licences.

 

The legislation, which has been pending for more than two decades, will head to the House of Representatives for debate. 

 

Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, who piloted the bill, said approved the teachers will be published similar to lawyers.

 

The Jamaica Teaching Council bill proposes the introduction of provisions that distinguish between registered, licensed and authorised teachers. 

 

It will introduce a fit and proper requirement including criminal background checks for people seeking to enter the teaching profession. 

 

It will also provide special pathways for skilled professionals without traditional training credentials to receive temporary authorisation to teach. 

 

Regarding penalties, offences related to unauthorised teaching or misrepresentation will incur fines of $500,000 up to $1.5 million or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months. 

 

The bill also includes transitional provisions. 

 

Senator Morris Dixon says the teachers already registered under the Education Act are grandfathered into the new system but must also apply for a licence or authorisation within 24 months. 

 

During Friday's debate, opposition Senator Damion Crawford did not support the controversial law. He said the bill seeks to punish the island's teachers for the crisis in the education sector.

 

"We are concerned that in general the bill seems more punitive than supportive. Punitive means focused on punishment rather than on support. What are some of the basic reasons we suggest that it is more punitive than supportive? Heavy fines and even imprisonment for unlicensed teaching [will get]...up to $1.5 million or 12 months in jail. There are more dangerous activities that don't carry such a fine, including dangerous driving. Vague criteria such as 'competent to teach' and 'fit and proper' have not been defined. No guaranteed legal aid for teachers under investigation, etc.," said the senator.  

 

"There is also no built-in access to the continuous professional development. While it is requested, I see nothing in the bill that suggests how it would be paid for. No emphasis on mentorship and teachers must basically prove their worth repeatedly. Therefore, the act, I believe, doesn't sufficiently support good teachers," he complained. 

 

The bill was approved in the Senate with 38 amendments.