JTA demands Ruel Reid withdraw extortion comments

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) is demanding the education minister, Ruel Reid, withdraw statements he made yesterday in relation to fees charged by some schools.

At a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday, Senator Reid said some schools have been coming up with creative ways to charge auxiliary fees, and his ministry will not tolerate it.

He named five schools and accused them of corruption and extortion in the charging of auxiliary fees.

READ: 'Creative' schools still extracting fees - Education Minister vows strong action against institutions for 'corrupt' act

But in a release this morning, the JTA said it views as very unfortunate the comments made by Senator Reid.

It says it believes these comments will serve no useful purpose than to create animosity and confrontation and could also destroy the integrity of school boards and administrators.

The JTA says it strongly recommends that the education minister withdraws these statements and encourage continued dialogue and consultations with the schools to arrive at an amicable resolution to the issues.

The schools named by Senator Reid are St Andrew High School for Girls, Mona High, The Queen’s School, Holy Childhood High and St Thomas Technical High.