JTA: Improve procurement process to speed up delivery of resources to schools

 

The Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) wants the government to quickly improve the procurement process to provide resources to schools in a timely manner.

 

In opening the 2024/2025 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives last month, Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke said several changes are coming to improve Jamaica's procurement system.

 

JTA President Leighton Johnson says the current challenges with the procurement process are having a negative effect on the ability of school administrators to do their jobs. 

 

"When you hear the minister speak, she will indicate that resources or the allocation is there. But then there are always challenges with the procurement process. The procurement process is a process that spins very slowly. And we constantly indicate that we have to move from that point because whilst the wheels of the ministry are grinding slowly, there are students and teachers who are suffering because of what appears to be the non-response," he asserted. 

 

In the meantime, Mr. Johnson wants the Ministry of Education to revisit the Service Level Agreement approach that was once utilised in order for administrators to undertake emergency work and small projects at schools.

 

"Whatever emergency work, emergency work for the purchasing of equipment, technological equipment that is essential for the operations of teaching and learning, infrastructure and developments, the school from their level can be funded and they will go through their low-level procurement. They know the artisans in the community, they know those persons who will do good work in the community. They have developed relationships with many vendors that can assist them in the acquisition of up-to-date minimum standards or high-spec technology," he suggested. 

 

Mr. Johnson was a guest Wednesday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106 FM.

 

The government says changes to the procurement process will include the revision of thresholds below which procuring entities can adopt more nimble contracting procedures, leading to an increased pace of contract formation.