Former Prime Minister, Edward Seaga, a former Member of Parliament for West Kingston, gets a rousing applause as he makes his way to the podium to make his speach at yesterday's long service awards luncheon in honour of teachers in west Kingston. The function was held at the Knutsford Court hotel, New Kingston. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

FORMER PRIME Minister Edward Seaga says teachers who work in depressed areas should be given additional incentives because of the traumatic experience they undergo daily and the extra efforts they have to put in to achieve results.

"Teachers who serve in hardship areas to my mind deserve better compensation," said Mr. Seaga, while addressing a long service award luncheon for teachers in west Kingston.

"There should be a premium for teachers who serve in hardship areas," he added.

Mr. Seaga, who is also the former leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, pointed out that teachers in hardship areas are forced to work under less than normal circumstances and are still expected to achieve good results.

His suggestion for additional compensation comes as the nation celebrates May 6-11 as Education Week.

Mr. Seaga also said the Government should move speedily to find the additional funds to transform the education system.

In 2004, the task force report on education, commissioned by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, stated that it would cost an additional $22 billion per year to transform the education sector.

Transformation needed

"The system cannot continue as it is ... the transformation plan has become a wish list, the funding is not there, and special effort has to be made to get the funds to make that transformation plan (a reality)," Mr. Seaga told the gathering at the Knutsford Court hotel, New Kingston.

Similar views were echoed by Opposition Leader Bruce Golding, who hosted the function for the 55 teachers who served between 30 and 38 years.

According to Mr. Golding, the Government has failed to find the additional $22 billion that the task force report on education had recommended that it would take to transform the system. He noted that since the $5 billion from the National Housing Trust was allocated to the Ministry of Education and Youth, no more funds have been made available.

Pointing out that 72 per cent of the labour force had not passed a CSEC subject, Mr. Golding reiterated that the Government should look to multilateral agencies to fund the transformation process.

In his remarks, councillor for the West Kingston division, Desmond McKenzie, said despite the traumatic experience that teachers in western Kingston face, there have not been much resignations.

"This luncheon speaks volumes to our belief and the manner in which we want to continue to work with you," said Mr. McKenzie, who is also the Mayor of Kingston.