NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2024 26 By: Chantae McNeil COMMENDATIONS FOR 60 years of Service to Education and the teaching profession. That was the core of the message to the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) from the Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams at the service that marked the start of a year of celebration of the association’s 60th anniversary. The service was held at the Mandeville Parish Church, Manchester, on Sunday, March 31, and was attended by officials in the Ministry of Education, the present and past leadership and members of the JTA, as well as the local congregation. The commemorative church service was celebrated with the theme of the Sixtieth Anniversary, ‘Preserving the Legacy: Remaining Relevant for the Future’. In her message, Mrs Williams commended the JTA for reaching 60 years and for their dedication to teacher advocacy over the period. The minister said the JTA and the Ministry of Education shared the same goal. She thanked the JTA for its collaboration with the ministry.“I extend heartiest congratulations on this milestone. The JTA’s sixth decade on behalf of its members and the education sector in general is noteworthy in its emphasis on improving the academic outcomes of our student population, and believe it or not, we have the same aim. The Ministry of Education and Youth and the Jamaica Teachers’Association want to see happy teachers in our classrooms and brilliant children streaming out of our schools into tertiary [institutions] or into the world of work, so we are aligned in any way that you look at it,” Mrs Williams said. Pastor of the church, Michael Elliot, said there were several issues with which the JTA had to grapple but there was hope. He advocated more dialogue to overcome challenges in education. “And the JTA is one symbol of hope for this nation. Everything don’t go right – we know that – minister don’t treat unno right and unno don’t treat minister right. The problem is not that we buck heads; the issue is how we resolve issues,” he said. JTA President Leighton Johnson congratulated the JTA family on reaching this milestone and encouraged them to remain united in their mission to empower, inspire, uplift, and mould the minds and hearts of the students entrusted to their care. He later presented a cash donation to Reverend Michael Elliot in support of the church scholarship fund. JTA’s Secretary General, Dr Mark Nicely, later presented the church and Minister Williams with a custom-made calendar from the JTA family. He spoke about the organisation’s accomplishments over its 60 years. Dr Nicely mentioned recent celebratory events including the successful launch of the association’s new-look JTA website. Dr Nicely outlined planned events for the year-long celebration. Chantae McNeil is a Journalism student at Northern Caribbean University. CHURCH SERVICE KICKS OFF CELEBRATION OF 60TH ANNIVERSARY Rector of the Mandeville Parish Church Rev Michael Elliot receiving his personal memorabilia from JTA President Leighton Johnson. TIME FOR WORSHIP! Several former and current officials of the JTA are seen at worship here. They include former Secretary General Byron Farquharson (far left); Mark Smith, president-elect (front row, left); former Secretary General and trustee Patrick Smith (third left, second row); Deputy Secretary General Clayton Hall (right, second row); and President Leighton Johnson (front, right). PAST, CURRENT & FUTURE: President-elect of the JTA, Mark Smith (second left), poses with former President and Secretary General Byron Farquharson (left), current Secretary General Dr Mark Nicely (third left) and principal of Moneague College and past JTA President, Howard Isaacs. Occasion was the church service to mark the JTA 60th anniversary in Mandeville on March 31, 2024. Ministry of Education and JTA have same aim – minister JTA 60TH ANNIVERSARY FEATURE
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