Gov't says teachers’ graduate allowances to be paid by Friday

The education ministry says all outstanding graduate allowances owed to teachers will be paid by Friday, a move to satisfy the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) that threatened industrial action over the issue.

Tuesday's announcement follows an intervention by Minister of Education Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, escalated the matter to Cabinet after becoming aware of the concerns, a ministry statement said.

“The ministry understands the importance of these allowances to affected teachers. With the intervention of Minister Morris Dixon, all outstanding payments will be processed and disbursed by Friday, February 28, 2025," said Dr Kasan Troupe, permanent secretary in the the ministry.

The statement said the ministry has been instructed to continue paying the graduate allowances until further advised.

The decision came less than a day after the JTA urged the education ministry to speak with the finance ministry about paying outstanding allowances to avert industrial action in the public school system.

JTA President Dr Mark Smith said these payments were part of an agreement signed on March 13, 2023, and should not be withheld.

“I am deeply troubled by reports reaching the JTA from across the island that many of our teachers are not in receipt of their graduate allowances, and this is making our members highly restive at this time. It is absolutely shameful that the MOESYI (Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information) would have gone ahead and given permission for this action to be carried out,” argued Smith.

Graduate allowances are granted to teachers who have upgraded their academic qualifications.

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