LETTER OF THE DAY - Why the JTA needs reform
Published:Friday | May 21, 2010 | 12:00 AM
The Editor, Sir:
The Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) can and will only remain relevant in the 21st century if fundamental changes are made to its forms and features. I am willing to take 'time off' from my administrative duties and responsibilities in order to assist with the renewal process of the organisation.
It is now the opportune time for the stakeholders of the JTA to reshape and rebrand it so that it can meet the challenges of the millennium. By the way, did the association establish its millennium goals? What are they? The teachers would like to see them.
I want to see an association that mobilises its troops to action, not only when salary becomes an issue but when one of its members dares to be challenged physically and verbally by a student or parent. We wait to see if the leadership of the association is going to provoke us to action regarding the incident at BB Coke High School which led to the hospitalisation of one our colleagues, as in the case of the salary issue.
Professional integrity needed
Sad to say, but as far as I can recall, I have only seen JTA calling upon the teachers to take industrial action when salary becomes an intractable problem. I want to see an association in which the professional integrity of its leadership cannot be called into question because of any political allegiance.
I want to see an association that establishes a five-year development plan that outlines the organisation's contribution to the furtherance of our education system. The association must not only seek to protect and ensure the security of tenure for teachers but should demand of all of us 'quality performance' or else we will be separated from the association.
Leaders of substance
The time has come for the association to elect leader(s) of substance rather than style. Some of those I have seen offering themselves or have offered themselves for leadership of the association are more concerned about the self-aggrandisement of the individual. The time is ripe for the association to elect leaders who cannot be bought or sold and whose office is above reproach.
The time has come for the association to extend the life of its president to two or three years and establish a vice-president system instead of the 'president elect' system. Jamaica Teachers' Association is becoming less and less attractive to the younger set of teachers. Changing the perception they have of the association and selling it to them should now be put on the front burner. Come on JTA, don't you think the teachers deserve better representation?
I am, etc.,
HARVEY BROWN