JTA to engage Education Ministry in talks on contentious JTC Bill

 

The Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) says it is to engage in dialogue with the Ministry of Education on the Jamaica Teaching Council Bill, aspects of which have been viewed as controversial.

 

JTA President Dr. Mark Smith has said that while teachers welcome the move to establish professional standards, there are glaring issues in the bill that cannot be overlooked. 

 

Addressing teachers in St. Elizabeth on Thursday, Dr. Smith said the strident advocacy of the JTA in opposing the bill in its current form has borne some fruit. 

 

"I am happy to say that since our public pronouncements over the last few weeks, months, the minister has agreed to have further consultation with us around the bill, and we welcome that," he announced.

 

He challenged all teachers to read the JTC Bill, which he said in fringes on their constitutional right. 

 

"It's a dangerous bill, a bill that undermines some of our constitutional rights. So it's not a JLP or a PNP issue. I've been badgered by both parties...not the parties' leadership themselves, but certainly members, who oftentimes have never read the bill themselves. But they hear a political pundit say something, and them jump on and say, 'the teacher dem this, and the teacher dem that', but they have never read it. And every one of those shows I have gone on and I've spoken to them, it is quite clear that they have not studied it," he suggested.

 

The JTC bill was passed in the Senate on April 25. It is to be debated in the Lower House.