Concerns for Early Childhood Teachers amid JTC Bill

More concerns are arising from the provisions outlined in the Jamaica Teaching Council‘s bill as stakeholders question what it will mean for early childhood Teachers. 

Director of the school of education at the university of the West Indies, Dr. Marcia Rainford says the bill must be tweaked to include those teachers, so they aren’t out of a job when the bill takes effect. As stakeholders continue to weigh in on the provisions of the Jamaica Teaching Council’s bill, apprehensions are brewing over whether early childhood teachers will be able to continue their careers after the bill becomes law. 

As it stands, the JTC bill defines a teacher as someone who holds a bachelor’s degree in education or its equivalent, or a first degree with a post graduate diploma in education. However, UWI’s director of the school of education, Dr. Marcia Rainford says those requirements eliminate most early childhood teachers. She also notes the early childhood teachers do not earn enough to pursue the levels of qualifications required to become a teacher, under the bill’s definition. Subsequently, she urges the government to offer scholarships for them to complete said training. Meanwhile, Dr. Rainford is suggesting the bill eliminates persons who teach or tutor without being trained to do so.

This suggestion however, attracted much scrutiny from Senator Ransford Braham who says that move is rather harsh. He says some students cannot afford actual extra lessons; hence they often resort to seeking assistance from volunteers. 

Reporter: Velonique Bowen