PM says JTC bill meant to raise teaching standards, not control teachers

 

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says the controversial Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) Bill is part of attempts to raise the standards of the teaching profession. 

 

Speaking on Wednesday during a visit to the Mico University College, Dr. Holness said the legislation was not an attempt to exercise power over teachers.

 

"For far too long, we have not treated teaching with the professional regard it deserves. We have celebrated teachers in words, but not always supported them with the institutional structures that allow them to grow, thrive, and lead. That is why the government is pursuing the Jamaica Teaching Council legislation. And let me state this plainly, this is not an attempt to control teachers. It is a national effort to uplift, upgrade, and to use the term

'professionalise' teaching in Jamaica," he insisted. 

 

The JTC Act 2025 has been passed in the Senate and is to be debated in the House of Representatives. 

 

The Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) has said it will not support the proposed law in its current form, pointing out that its submissions to the joint select committee considering the legislation have largely been ignored. The parliamentary opposition has also cited issues with the legislation. 

 

Prime Minister Holness questioned the assertion that the JTC bill, if enacted, would cause more teachers to leave the profession for jobs overseas. 

 

"The truth is, I've heard this argument that this is going to cause a lot of teachers to leave the jurisdiction. And I did some research and I found out that most, if not all the jurisdictions that our teachers would end up in, have some form and even stronger regulations for professional requirements for teachers," argued Dr. Holness.

 

In the meantime, the Prime Minister said he does not have an issue with the advocacy by the Jamaica Teachers' Association on behalf of its members in relation to the JTC bill. But he pointed out that the law has been in development for more than 20 years across different administrations. He expressed optimism that the Ministry of Education and the JTA can continue discussions to reach agreement on the issues raised. 

 

"I don't like to use the word compromise because it just sends the signal of, you know, watering down. But I think we can continue the dialogue. We have a Minister of Education who is very competent. And I do quite like the president of the JTA. He seems to be a reasonable person in his pronouncements. I didn't like this betrayal issue because there was at no time any attempt to in any way to deceive or harm teachers. That's absolutely not the case," he maintained.

 

The objectives are the proposed Jamaica Teaching Council Act 2025 include the establishment of the Jamaica Teaching Council as a statutory body and the regulation of the entry, conduct and professional development of teachers.