JTA - biggest hindrance to educational progress

I lift my hat to Education Minister Andrew Holness for rejecting demands from the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) that Alphansus Davis, his pick for head of the Teachers' Service Commission, be removed.

Since assuming power, an annoying wimpishness has characterised many deliberations and decisions of this Government. The Opposition picked it up early and made maximum use of it. It has managed to have the Government so discombobulated, the Opposition feels it can be re-elected without providing the country with one credible idea.

Is the officer in question incompetent? Is he in breach of any rule? No such thing. Is the JTA aware of the consequences of firing the officer? Sure, it is. This is just a part of the resist/reject policy of the JTA towards anything coming out of the Ministry of Education (MOE). It would seem that a prerequisite for election to the head of the JTA is a promise to be a thorn in the ministry's flesh. In recent years, the JTA can be remembered for its unseemly screaming for more pay in the middle of a global recession and the infantile demands for apologies for assorted imaginary slights.

This has led a growing number of persons to ask, what exactly is the role of the JTA? 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'. Is this happening?

A look at the organisation's achievements over the past 10 years shows accomplishments in one area only - the ability to collect for itself increasing emoluments. The year 2008 was particularly impressive, with an array of increased remuneration and special allowances. But has this translated into improved performance in the classroom? If they are performing, we cannot but conclude that huge numbers of our children were born with a diminished capacity for learning.

The action of an 'outsider'

Recently, the MOE announced the completion of a facility to help underperforming students. A former JTA head poured cold water on the project, saying the selection of students was flawed. Her claims were flawed, but what is of greatest significance is that she and her organisation watched the programme from its inception and failed to partner with the MOE to correct the perceived 'flaws', but went to the press at the completion of the exercise. This is the action of an 'outsider'.

Conflict normally occurs when one party believes the other's actions may threaten to harm his or her interests. Conflicts, improperly managed, can have a tremendous cost on the health of the school system. Contrived conflicts are affecting teacher performance and wasting the time of managers, HR professionals, and others. These conflicts affect the quality of decisions, as people in conflict are less likely to share vital information and more likely to get into power struggles. This compromises job satisfaction.

The result is poor motivation and lack of engagement among employees. Can anyone guess what this does for teacher performance? Managed properly - and without hidden agendas - conflict can bring underlying education issues into the open so that they can be resolved.

It is generally felt that professional unions make excellent conflict-management partners, as they are not dogmatic in nature. It should be easier, therefore, to engage them in creative modifications to the traditional grievance procedures. The JTA seems to hold to the archaic notion that unions and employers are not compatible, and it is relying on grievance procedure to manage conflict. Modern practitioners have long ago abandoned this and use a variety of other options to achieve their aims.

At present, the JTA is - ironically and tragically - the greatest hindrance to advancement in Jamaica's education. In what can be nothing more than an attempt to frustrate, weaken and embarrass the minister, scores of positions in schools remain unfilled. How does this fit in with their vision statement '... service delivery and commitment to national development through education'.

I urge the JTA to abandon its agenda and consider a different relationship with the MOE - one which fosters healthy dialogue and motivates people to raise issues and discuss new ideas. It's the children that are losing.

Glenn Tucker is an educator and a sociologist. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and glenntucker2011@gmail.com.