JTA's obsession with conflict

Glenn Tucker, Contributor

A few months ago, I breathed a sigh of relief when the tenure of the previous Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) president, Michael Stewart, came to an end. This was because his presidency was memorable only for the constant unseemly bickering and griping for more money for teachers, despite the fact that they had already received substantial increases.

Then, as if working for the award for unacceptable behaviour, this demand for more money was taken to international organisations. So, I welcomed a new president and looked forward to a more productive partnership with the Ministry of Education. But it is just more of the same. Much more.

The latest excuse for non-cooperation is that the minister was said to have claimed that the JTA and the People's National Party (PNP) seemed to be collaborating in their call for the appointment of a distinguished educator to be withdrawn. The minister said that was not his intention, and, if anyone was offended, he apologised. This was not enough, however, for the current JTA president, Nadine Molloy Young. She wanted 'sackcloth and ashes'. And this was used as the excuse to withdraw from some of the JTA's obligations designed to improve the quality of education.

I have no way of knowing if there was any collaboration. But the thought processes and modus operandi of both groups are so similar, one could be forgiven for making such an assumption. Similarly, the fact that several of these heads of worker organisations who have distinguished themselves for their aggressiveness, intransigence and disrespectful behaviour seek, and often find, accommodation and opportunities in one of our political parties, could very well be coincidence.

violent tendencies

The violent tendencies of the masses in this country have extended themselves, in recent times, to the point where the work and worth of persons is evaluated on the basis of their ability to be rude, crude and disrespectful to their superiors and others in positions of leadership. So, we sacrifice so much of the important intangibles in national life, as these persons get to bask temporarily in the dubious spotlight of bad, disruptive behaviour.

The vision statement of the JTA is 'To be the regional benchmark for teacher membership organisations; setting standards of excellence in service delivery and commitment to national development through education'. Apart from a growing number of glittering examples, no one can deny that a large percentage of our teachers should not be allowed near a classroom.

In another two months we will be seeing youngsters all over the country decked out in expensive tuxedos, gowns and wigs for graduation. This belies the fact that the majority of them are barely literate and lack the attitude and aptitude to benefit from training. Whatever the other prerequisites, student learning depends first, last and always on the quality of teachers.

The issue of improving the quality of our teachers has taken on a controversial life of its own. To help rectify this situation, the Ministry of Education initiated a programme to upgrade the skills of the teachers. But the JTA - committed to 'setting standards of excellence' - would have none of that. After all, it's holiday time and the cash-strapped Government would have to go and find money to pay these persons to improve themselves. As far as I am concerned, the teachers should be paying for the courses.

ultimate benefit to schools

Recently, the Government announced the introduction of broadband access throughout the country. The ultimate benefit to schools would be the provision of high-quality access to the Internet, even in deep-rural areas, facilitating better Internet and ICT integration of the delivery of the curriculum. Not to mention the easy access to a wide range of online educational resources, and the enabling of new communication channels and collaboration between teachers and students. I could go on.

One would have thought that the JTA, with its '... commitment to national development through education', would have immediately endorsed the initiative and offered to help, even by increasing awareness about the benefits, applications and limitless possibilities. Their silence has been deafening and pregnant with meaning.

I think it is full time that the membership of these bodies does some evaluation to determine the extent of the real progress their organisations have made over the years, and to what extent the creation of these TV stars has helped them. Are hidden agendas and bloated egos helping them, or just weakening the opportunities for empowerment?

In any partnership intended to implement national education plans, the adversarial JTA-ministry posture is one of the main factors impeding the participation of teachers and organisations.

Life is a short sprint. We are too far behind to continue accommodating these hurdles to dialogue.

Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and glenntucker2011@gmail.com.

 

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