I have noted over the last few months a call by The Gleaner in its editorials for the leadership of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) to coerce its membership into the acceptance of pay for performance. While I agree without reservation that performance should undoubtedly drive remuneration, the stance taken by the JTA in requesting that certain criteria be met prior to the implementation of a performance for pay system is not unreasonable.

It should be remembered that the JTA, even though it must have a vested interest in the success of education for the purpose of nation building and its own survival, is a union. Consequently, the main thrust of that organisation must be for the improvement of the conditions of work and the welfare of individual teachers. On the other hand, the Government must function for the benefit of the entire population and the present and future welfare of the country.

Consequently, it is my opinion that the implementation of a performance pay strategy must be organised and driven by the employer of the teachers, the Ministry of Education, along with the concurrence of the JTA. I am not aware - and I may be wrong - that such a plan was developed by the ministry, shared with the JTA and then rejected.

Major issues

In my view, the following are some of the major issues the Government should address and share with the populace in order to resolve the education crisis:

What are the specific goals of the Ministry of Education in the next five years (e.g., full literacy, improvement in CSEC results, higher tertiary performance, etc)?

What levels of education and areas will most benefit Jamaica's socio-economic plans for the next five years (e.g., additional teachers, scientists, engineers, health-care workers, hospitality workers etc.)?

What other areas of social development is the country willing to scale back or forgo in order to use the resources for education (e.g., building of additional schools, etc)?

What are the minimum targets set for each individual school, type of school (e.g., compulsory attendance, academic performance etc.) and the country over the next five years?

Do we have the political will to implement measures to achieve these goals?

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the issues that require attention and may not even be the correct ones. However, I believe that unless a definitive plan is developed, followed by dedicated implementation, the country will forever be churning out illiterate/semi-literate youths, resulting in the continuation of the social and economic decay we now experience.

It could also be argued that we are satisfied with the status quo.

I am, etc.,

Winston Reid

winze@cwjamaica.com

Stony Hill, St Andrew