NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2024 38 JTA 60TH ANNIVERSARY FEATURE THE JAMAICA Teachers’ Association (JTA) held their Education Week 2024 National Church Service at the Church of Transfiguration on Sunday, May 5. The JTA is celebrating its 60th anniversary under the theme “Preserving the Legacy: Prioritising Fair Education for All.” In representing the Ministry of Education, Kerry Ann Thomas Gayle, chief education officer (acting), emphasised the importance of Education Week. She said it gave a chance to pause regular activities and celebrate educators. “They have been in our lives since the beginning, teaching us, guiding us to be our best selves. They educate our children to believe in themselves, to stand up, speak out and protect their rights while reaching their greatest potential,”said Thomas Gayle. Leighton Johnson, president of the JTA, in agreeing with Thomas Gayle, stated that education was not just about learning, but also that it was the cornerstone for Jamaica’s development for changing lives and building a better future. Reverend Craig Mears, the director of youth ministries in the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, delivered the message. He highlighted the true meaning of love in teaching. He said that many educators were driven not just by the monetary gain, but rather by the love they have for their profession and students. “Love seeks the well-being of others. That is the beautiful thing about teachers. Teachers are called to a profession that requires love. They make tremendous sacrifices … love is to wish and work towards the best for the other person,”he said. Reverend Mears further shared that education was about behaviour change and empowerment, learning how to deal with issues. He ended his message by encouraging people to serve with love regardless of their professions and to stay connected to God. The JTA president announced that the association would be hosting fundraising events to improve their critical illness fund to help teachers that need help with medical expenses. Jodi-Ann Clarke Teaching requires love, pastor says at Education Week Service Rev Craig Mears THE JAMAICA Teachers’ Association (JTA) has called for a united, national effort to combat violence in schools and to restore the place of education as a pathway to success and a right for all. President of the JTA Leighton Johnson made the call as he delivered the message for Education Week 2024 in May. Mr Johnson said:“The theme,‘Preserving Our Legacy: Prioritising Access and Equity in Education,’ resonates deeply with the core values we hold dear as educators.” He said that as the JTA prioritised access and equity in education, there were some challenges. “One of the most pressing issues we face is the impact of violence on education. Violence, whether in schools or within our communities, poses a significant barrier to learning and to national development. It instils fear, disrupts classrooms, and communities. It hinders the academic progress of our students and stagnates growth,” Mr Johnson said. He said educators could not “stand idly by while our schools become battlegrounds. We must work tirelessly to create safe and nurturing environments where every child and every citizen feels valued, protected, and will have access to world-class educational opportunities”. He said crime and violence had spilled over into the schools and had to be approached with urgency and the seriousness that it deserved. The JTA president said that in prioritising access and equity in education, the tireless efforts of teachers must be recognised and rewarded. He called on the Government and its agencies to • increase budgetary allocations for education to allow the employment of more guidance counsellors and social workers for home and community-based intervention. • consider policy extensions and possible legislation to get greater parental involvement at the school and community level, especially for at-risk children. • increase vigilance by the police of the buses, bus stops, transport and town centres that facilitate the commute of students and apply sanctions where necessary. • provide a functional schoolbus system to improve the manner in which students are transported to school. Mr Johnson called for a national consensus and campaign on values and attitudes: “As we battle the moral deficit of our nation, let us demand from all sectors a collaborative drive to re-engage positive values and the attitudes at all levels. Let us insist on the implementation of a values-based character-education initiative that transcends the walls of the classroom. Let us all get involved in a national campaign that promotes non-violence, peace, respect for self, life and property. Let us make this into a national movement with billboards and signs with messages promoting positive values displayed on buses as well as catchy slogans across our airwaves and in the media – both social and main stream – and at every shop corner. This requires all hands on deck, a national consensus.” Call for united national effort to combat violence in schools JTA president’s Education Week message also calls for values and attitudes campaign Congratulatory Message Congratulations on your 60th Anniversary! Wishing you continued growth, success, and greater fortune as you continue to fulfill your motto “Unite and Serve.” May you embark on another year of impactful service to our citizens and country. – From Shortwood Teachers’ College
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUzNTI=