As Education Minister Fayval Williams announces plans to combat the recent increase in teacher migration, one specific strategy has sparked much apprehension among Jamaicans – that university graduates being employed to fill the gap.
Many question the seemingly paradoxical nature of this solution, being that a provision under the Jamaica Teaching Council’s (JTC) Bill stipulates that teachers must be licensed, to avoid a 500,000 dollar fine.
With this new strategy, university graduates would hold a first degree, but not a teaching license. However, Minister Williams says the current situation is one other factor that has caused a reconsideration of some aspects of the bill. She notes that the bill is flexible, thus allowing specialists to enter into the teaching sphere. Therefore, it wouldn’t necessarily be considered a breach. After several weeks, the JTC Bill is still being debated in the joint select committee by stakeholders in the education sector.
Throughout the debating period, CVM LIVE notes the main concern with the legislation is the hefty fine, and the basic requirements to teach, as many argue it will force hundreds of teachers out of the classroom. With 167 hundred teachers already resigning, Minister Williams suggests the bill will continue being assessed to professionalize the occupation, while simultaneously protecting the rights of teachers in Jamaica. More details in the report:
Reporter Velonique Bowen
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