Fri | Mar 29, 2024

Teachers should know their worth

Published:Friday | February 3, 2023 | 12:07 AM

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Myth or not, the current wage negotiation/consultation between the government and the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) has me reflecting on this myth of a quote and is led to put a spin on it, if only teachers knew their worth, they would persevere for a reasonable wage increase.

For far too long, teachers have been known to buckle under government’s expectations and timelines, the latest being they should sign off on package offered because government cannot carry it over into the next fiscal year. Well, teachers cannot carry this meagre increase to supermarket, pay bills and take care of numerous other family obligations.

As this current negotiation offering stands, there is great disparity between bands/categories of teachers which will see the majority of teachers worst off, no “substantial increase” as promised by Finance Minister Nigel Clarke.

It’s a shame that government refuse to honour a fair liveable wage to teachers considering their mammoth roles. Teachers’ workload far extend the teaching. Then there are many work overtime without compensation. A reasonable package should be automatic, this is only fair.

It’s time teachers recognise their worth and not settle for less. Accepting the current offer will see another mass exodus of teachers. Today, (February 3) delegates of the JTA will meet to vote whether or not teachers accept pay increase. I hope good sense prevails.

SEKARD

St Elizabeth