by Jean Lowrie-Chin | Observer column | Monday 20 May 2013
 |
| THWAITES… his contribution to the Sectoral Debate last week was a speech
that previous ministers of education may have dreamed of making |
Rev Ronnie Thwaites’ contribution last week to the
Sectoral Debate, was a speech that previous Ministers of Education may have
dreamed of making, but may have been stopped by the risk of losing the favour
of 20,000 influential Jamaicans - our teachers.
However, there are three little letters that have focused our minds
wonderfully: I.M.F. Every government
ministry must now seek to cut all vestiges of waste from their budgets and any
private sector employer would shudder at the figures that were being paid out
to support teachers’ extensive study leave and multiple weeks of regular
leave.
Last
Thursday, in a report on the Education Minister’s speech, the Jamaica Observer stated, “Teachers are allowed a year of fully paid study leave after
two years’ service, Thwaites said, adding that ‘leave may be granted for up to
another year without pay.’ Teachers employed before September 2003 may apply
for 52 days leave on full pay, and another 40 days more with half pay while
those employed after 2003 may apply for 40 days leave on full pay and 28 with
half pay. Those days are taken from the prescribed 190 school days, Thwaites
said.”
The report noted: “That situation is
‘no longer affordable’ as replacing teachers absent from the classroom for
study and vacation leave costs the Government $2.5 billion annually. In
addition, $574 million is currently owed to schools for substitute teachers,
Thwaites said. However, the minister said teachers will be compensated for the
suspension of study leave privileges if they are enrolled in a course of study
that is directly related to their area in teaching or where there is a need for
it.”
Change is
difficult, and so we can understand the concern expressed by JTA President
Clayton Hall. However, with the
availability on online courses, the Minister’s proposal that teachers access
courses during their vacation or on a part-time basis, is a reasonable
one. Indeed, this has been the practice
in many private sector and some government organisations for several
years.
As we
strive for increased productivity, it was refreshing to hear Transport and
Works Minister Dr Omar Davies call for a reduction in bureaucracy. CVM-TV
reported that on the programme ‘Direct’, the Minister admitted “that the government’s cumbersome bureaucracy has
threatened to derail major investments.”
He said he had had to intervene personally to ensure the continuation of
important projects.
We are blessed that two outstanding Jamaicans, CEO of Sagicor Richard
Byles, and Bank of Jamaica Governor Brian Wynter are co-chairs of the
monitoring committee for the implementation of Jamaica’s programme with the
IMF. The other well-respected members of
the committee are Financial Secretary Devon Rowe, head of the coordinating and
implementation unit in the Ministry of Finance, Dr Carol Nelson, trade union representatives Helene Davis-Whyte
and Ralston Hyman, Senator Norman Grant, head of the Jamaica Agricultural
Society, and private-sector representatives Keith Duncan, Bruce Bowen, Patrick
Hylton and Chris Zacca.
We hope
the committee will give regular updates to the media on their findings. Such a partnership is important for ordinary
Jamaicans who are anxious to see how these billions of dollars that we are
borrowing, will translate into a better quality of life for them, a safer and
more just society, and a secure future for our children.
Comments from Observer website www.jamaicaobserver,com
Comments from Observer website www.jamaicaobserver,com
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