Minister of Education Andrew Holness (left) and president elect of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), Doran Dixon, participate in the JTA's 44th annual conference church service at the Church of God of Prophecy, Old Harbour Road, St Catherine, yesterday. Dixon will be installed as president during the conference which starts today. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Salaries for teachers and auxiliary fees for schools are expected to be the two major issues to be discussed at the 44th annual conference of the Jamaica Teachers' Association's Annual Conference which gets under way in Ocho Rios, St Ann this morning.

The JTA last week warned that there could be major disruption to the start of the new school year, as the Government has failed to present a full salary offer to the association ahead of its conference.

"When you are dealing with wages and fringe benefits, those are important and troublesome issues, especially as we are dealing with increasing prices everyday," outgoing president of the JTA, Ena Barclay, told The Gleaner last week.

Barclay said the issue of salaries for teachers will be dealt with extensively at the conference.

Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association in the United States, will deliver the keynote address at the conference, which is being held under the theme, "Building a Learning Culture in Schools: Enabling Independent, Enthusiastic and Successful Learners".

During a function that starts at 8 o'clock tonight, Doran Dixon, president-elect of the JTA, will be proclaimed as president of the 22,000-member teachers' union. Barclay is to deliver her final address to delegates and observers.

The conference will also recognise 2008/2009 president-elect designate, Michael Stewart.

There will be several business sessions tomorrow, with an awards ceremony in the night where several teachers will receive scholarships. On Wednesday, Minister of Education Andrew Holness and his team will address issues affecting the education system.