JTA defends lobbying efforts for teachers

Clayton Hall, the President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) has blasted critics who he says have been criticising the association for defending the welfare of its members.

He was speaking yesterday at the JTA's head office during the opening of an advanced seminar in Special Education being offered in partnership with the Nova South Eastern University and the education ministry.

Hall said those who criticise should understand that anything gained through lobbying for the teachers will benefit all students.

Hall said the JTA believes in ensuring teachers are fully equipped to deliver in the classroom and that is why courses such as the advanced seminar in special education were being conducted.

Meanwhile, Dr. Phylicia Marshall of the Ministry’s Tertiary Education Unit encouraged the first cohort of teachers to be agents of change despite the mounting challenges.

According to her, the training being undertaken is opportune, as teachers will be exposed to strategies to better detect learning deficiencies in students and put in place corrective measures.

The Professional Seminar programme is a direct response to calls from educators for training to be provided for interested teachers who are desirous of being trained to deal with special needs students.

The seminar is proposed as a certificate based programme that will provide ongoing professional development for educators who serve children and the youth at all levels.

Fifty teachers from schools in Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine and St. Thomas are participating in the two week training programme.

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