Clayton Hall to cut short overseas trip as row deepens

Clayton Hall, president of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) is to cut short an official visit overseas and return home amid the deepening row in the 20,000-member organization. Mr. Hall, who is attending the annual conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Switzerland, was due back in Jamaica next week. It has been decided that he will end his trip and return this week. This was confirmed Monday night by JTA President-Elect, Dr. Mark Nicely.

“Mr Hall will be returning earlier than expected in light of the recent developments in order to conclude the matter which started on Sunday. There have been some developments as has been published in the media; and there is a need for the JTA to take further action so Mr. Hall will be returning to facilitate this,” said Dr. Nicely.

The development follows a declaration by former JTA President, Doran Dixon, that he will not withdraw his candidacy for the top post. He has also requested a retraction of the JTA's press release and e-mail to him, advising him that it has removed his name from the ballot.

Mr. Dixon on Monday declared that if the retraction was not done in 48 hours, he will initiate legal action.       

Ready to defend action

And the Jamaica Teachers’ Association appears set to defend in court its decision to withdraw the candidacy of Doran Dixon from the upcoming elections for President. This is the suggestion of President Elect Dr. Mark Nicely.

The withdrawal took place on the weekend after a meeting of the Credentials Committee of the JTA. However questions immediately arose about whether the committee had that authority, whether proper procedure was followed, and if the panel of the committee was properly constituted.

Dr. Nicely, speaking on RJR's Beyond the Headlines on Monday, affirmed that the JTA's actions will be defended, asserting that the association was prepared in the event of a legal challenge.

Apologise

And, despite these rapid developments, there remain strong sentiments for the past JTA presidents Doran Dixon and Paul Adams to apologise for their recent comments.

Albert Corcho, principal of Calabar High School, stated that this should have been done long ago, so that the focus could return to the issues of importance to the teachers.

”Without any form of thinking about what should happen, both gentlemen must, immediately seek to apologise, seek to mend the fences that have been broken before we talk about moving forward. I think that they must step back and assess and be the big man in all of this and do what the country requires of them,” said Mr. Corcho.

For Sharon Reid, President of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, both men should apologise because they are held to a higher standard. Ms. Reid and Mr. Corcho were also  speaking on Beyond The Headlines on Monday.