THE ISSUE of teachers' salary has now become a recurring theme and issue at the annual convention of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), with each incoming president, in a display of populism while pandering to the conference's gathering, promising to be more strident and vociferous in addressing the issue of teachers' welfare and compensation.

It goes without saying that teachers, like everyone else, deserve adequate and reasonable compensation for the job they perform. However, one cannot help feeling that the issue of pay, combined with the JTA opposition to performance-based compensation, takes a back seat or is elevated above other important issues, such as, how we can improve the dismal performance-of our students and transform the education system.

Poor results

If this is the case, and the poor results of the education system remains unchanged, the JTA would fast find itself becoming redundant while losing the confidence of the Jamaican people. Where are the constructive suggestions for transforming education? What role can the JTA play in advancing this process? How can the profession be transformed for the 21st century? One hardly, if ever, reads of these issues being discussed and advanced at JTA conferences. However, you can rest assured that the headline after next year's conference will be related to the compensation of teachers. It's time for this to change!

Teachable moment

Mr Michael Stewart, the incoming president, should resist the urge of following in the footsteps of past presidents, and seize this moment to arrive at a reasoned and rational position for the settlement of the outstanding $8 billion due to the teachers. This presents a teachable moment for other unions looking on, and can do much to improve the image of the JTA.

In the long run, should the JTA achieve their objective by making it a 'September to remember,' at the expense of the society, they may very well realise a pyrrhic victory.

I am, etc.,

Erudites