TSC saga heightens

RONALD THWAITES, the Opposition spokesman on education, has called on Alphansus Davis to step aside as chairman of the Teachers Services Commission (TSC).

Thwaites, in a media release yesterday, said that notwithstanding the integrity and qualifications of Davis, he was not suitable to lead the Commission.

"This is because he serves as a senior advisor to the Minister of Education. This post, whatever Mr Davis' personal merits, inevitably creates the impression that he is Mr (Andrew) Holness' man, appointed to chair a sensitive aspect of the education system," Thwaites said.

The Jamaica Teachers' Association withdrew its membership from the TSC in April, over the appointment of Davis as Commission chair. Davis is also adviser to the Ministry of Education and the JTA views the appointment as a conflict.

Davis has said that legal opinion is being sought to authorise the Commission to meet without the participation of the JTA.

Thwaites said if the Commission meets without the JTA it "would fracture the reality and appearance of an impartial and participatory Commission which has served the school system well over a long period."