JTA to quiz Holness on new fee payment policy
Published:Friday | August 27, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Nadisha Hunter, Gleaner Writer
THE JAMAICA Teachers' Association (JTA) is to hold dialogue with Education Minister Andrew Holness about the new policy for government subsidies for students sitting external exams.
The JTA president, Nadine Molloy, told The Gleaner that the issue would definitely be part of the agenda at the association's monthly meeting with the minister.
She said while the issue was not straightforward and she was with-holding comment until the association sees the Cabinet's submission, the Government's policy opened way for several questions.
"There are some issues that we have to consider. Is this an incentive system, or is it that some students would be awarded based on needs?" she queried.
She said the association was concerned about the policy, as there are some students who did poorly at fourth form, but have done well at the exams.
"We don't want to support wastage of money, but we don't want to know that persons who would pass are left out," Molloy added.
The National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ) has also spoken out against the implementation of the new policy.
More time needed
NPTAJ President Marcia Mc-Causland-Wilson said the association needed more time to sensitise the parents so that they could help their children improve their education standard.
"Parents don't need any additional expense now, so the PTA need more time to speak to the parents so that they can help their children to qualify for this new policy," she said.
Holness announced on Wednesday that come 2011, the Government would no longer automatically pay the fees of students sitting mathematics, English, information technology and a science subject.
Instead, he said, the students sitting those subjects must attain a certain performance average for grades 10 and 11.
The new exam subsidy policy is expected to save the Government $46 million.