Kingston, Jamaica — Leighton Johnson, President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), has vocally expressed his disappointment and concern regarding the Ministry of Education’s recent announcement to recruit teachers from abroad for the upcoming 2024/25 academic year, which starts in September. During a statement on Wednesday, Johnson emphasized that although the decision aims to address the current teacher shortage, it underscores a more significant systemic issue that requires immediate attention and cooperative action.
Jamaica boasts at least 10 respected tertiary institutions dedicated to the professional training of teachers, Johnson highlighted. These institutions have a long-standing history of producing high-caliber educators capable of nurturing and developing young minds. Reflecting on this, Johnson lamented the necessity of turning to foreign educators to fill positions that qualified Jamaican teachers could occupy.
“The migration of teachers is not a new issue, but its recent intensification signals deeper ongoing systemic challenges that need to be tackled,” Johnson remarked. “Our teachers are the backbone of our education system. Their departure in search of better opportunities abroad stresses the urgent need to enhance salaries, working conditions, and incentives for educators within Jamaica.”
Acting Chief Education Officer, Terry-Ann Thomas Gayle, outlined the Ministry’s various teacher retention strategies, including overseas recruitment, at the Region Six 2024 Back-to-School Conference held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Monday, July 15. Gayle indicated that the Ministry is currently engaging teachers from Nigeria, Ghana, the Philippines, and India.
Though Johnson acknowledged the Ministry’s proactive approach to prevent student learning disruption due to the teacher shortage, he described the solution as temporary. “It doesn’t address the root causes of the problem,” he said. “We must focus on creating an environment where our teachers feel valued, supported, and adequately compensated for their vital contributions to our society.”
The JTA continues to advocate for improved salaries and working conditions for teachers. Johnson stressed the necessity for a competitive and internationally aligned salary structure to retain Jamaican educators. “There is an urgent need for retention incentives following best practices and international trends,” he noted.
Furthermore, Johnson suggested the government should consider non-monetary incentives such as reduced mortgage rates, tax relief for purchasing motor vehicles, land grants, and student loan debt forgiveness for teachers and their children to help retain educators.
He also proposed a national campaign to increase student enrolment in teacher training institutions. This initiative could potentially prepare teachers for global job markets and placements.
The JTA remains committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Education to develop sustainable strategies that will retain teachers and make the teaching profession in Jamaica both attractive and rewarding.
