Wrong solution, wrong problem

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) has “categorically” rejected the proposal by Opposition Spokesman on Education Damion Crawford to extend the schoolday by two hours, describing it as overcomplicating a simple solution.

“We seem obsessed with always trying to create a sophisticated rat trap, when the problem we really have is a roach problem,” said JTA President Dr Mark Smith.

He insists that suggestions should instead focus on how to address the “gross underfunding” of education in Jamaica, how to increase resources at the early and primary education levels, and on interventions for students with special needs.

Smith believes a schooday-extension programme should be in the remit of a particular school itself, while the Government focuses on incentivising teachers.

“As a teachers’ union, we’re frustrated that 7.5 per cent has been put on the table for our salaries; and we are saying that is unacceptable and we demand more. And we had hoped that the Opposition would be seeking to tackle that issue, which I think would go a far way in helping to motivate teachers and stem the flow of some our best minds leaving our shores,” he said.

In June, Finance Minister Fayval Williams announced that increments in the salary scales for eligible public-sector workers would amount to an increase in basic salary of approximately 7.5 per cent for “most persons” this fiscal year. Her statement followed rumblings in the public sector following reports that the Government’s wage offer does not include increases in basic salaries for the 2025-2026 financial year, which started on April 1 and will end on March 31 next year.

Smith further emphasised that targeted interventions to address literacy and numeracy in schools can be done within the regular school hours.

“That (extended school hours) sounds like a school-based type of initiative that ‘This is an issue we are having; the PTA (parent-teacher association) works with the administration and they work out [how that would operate] in that particular context,’” he said.

At a media briefing last week, Crawford outlined a raft of measures that he believes would address the “crisis” the country’s education sector is in. In addition to an extension of school hours, he also suggested a broadening of the role of form teachers and increasing access to the school’s lunch programme. Crawford also proposed a cost-plus system for school funding in which schools are given a set allocation and then receive additional funding based on their needs.

But following what he said was misinformation surrounding his proposal to extend school hours, Crawford released a statement stressing that teachers would be paid for the additional two hours, and that their participation in the programme would be voluntary.

He explained that the idea stemmed from a desire to provide safer, more structured after-school options for students, particularly in communities where children are often left unsupervised due to parents’ work schedules. The suggested model includes a mix of academic support, extracurricular engagement, and recreational activities throughout the week.

And declaring that he has “always stood in the defence of Jamaican teachers”, Crawford attributed their scepticism towards the extension to “years of neglect endured under the current administration”.

“I have always stood in defence of Jamaica’s teachers. I would never support a policy that is not in the best interest of both teachers and students,” he said.

The proposal, he noted, reflects ongoing thinking around how best to improve student outcomes, support families, and offer new opportunities for teachers, especially those seeking to earn more while serving their communities.

It’s a suggestion that the president of the National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica, Stewart Jacobs, believes is worth considering.

“As we continue to look at the education system that is best for our children, any idea at this time to develop and to encourage greater teacher-student contact is welcomed,” he told The Gleaner.

But for it to work, the buy-in of relevant stakeholders is crucial, he argued, noting that this may come at additional costs to parents, and be more demanding on the school’s administration.

“So if all of that is taken into consideration and the teachers are in agreement, the school’s administrations are in agreement, the parents are in agreement, then it’s something to be looked at, it should be considered,” he said.

In accusing Crawford of ignoring the infrastructural and psychological concerns, the JTA president stated that those would need to be addressed before school hours are extended.

“With the higher temperatures that we have been seeing globally, and the fatigue, there is something called ‘burnout’, both on the part of the students and on the teachers,” he said. “With the intense heat in Kingston and other parts of the island, I can really see where this would just be another [way] of children being forced to stay in a condition that is uncomfortable...many of the classrooms are not very conducive to stimulate learning.”

sashana.small@gleanerjm.com