Teachers who mark SBAs to get outstanding pay in April, says education ministry

Teachers who were engaged in the marking of school-based assessments (SBAs) for last year's Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations should receive payment by April, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Dr Kasan Troupe, has disclosed. 

The teachers had expressed their frustration over the payment delay compounded by what they described as the “disrespectful silence” from the Overseas Examinations Commission (OEC) and the Ministry of Education and Youth on the payment delay, even as they are expected to mark the SBAs for the 2024 May-June examination period.

Speaking to The Gleaner today, Troupe shared that the education ministry has funds in hand to pay the 5,300 teachers, however, she said the ministry is currently doing calculations to take into account the increase granted last year. 

The payment for teachers who mark these assessments was increased from $300 to $500 per SBA last year. 

“We have part of it ready, it's budgeted, it's in the budget; we're just waiting for a decision if we go full roll out for that money outstanding and then we put some deadlines in for the implementation of the retro,” she said. 

She noted, too that the suggestion was made to president of the Jamaica Teachers Association, Leighton Johnson, on Wednesday, who indicated that he would be canvassing the views of his members. 

Meanwhile, Troupe also dismissed suggestions that the ministry was contemplating withdrawing the fee teachers are paid to mark SBAs. Jamaica is one of two Caribbean countries that pay teachers to mark SBAs. 

“It's not a decision that we could take on our own; it has to be consultations because the policies will guide the final decision. So we have to be guided by the external examinations policy in addition to our local internal policy. Once those things are put in place properly, the ultimate roll out any kind of change where possible or if necessary will take place,” she said. 

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