Letter of the Day | Lot needs to be done to encourage teachers to stay

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I migrated to the US in August 2023 to pursue further studies. After settling in, I returned to Jamaica that same month for my daughter and enrolled her in a public school (elementary). As an educator, I watched my child struggle to cope with the change in the classroom setting and the teaching methods. In Jamaica, I would complain bitterly that the workload was overwhelming for the children, especially at that age. And many will agree with me that some of the assignments given are definitely for the parents.

When I reflect on her first year, I can attest to the fact that Jamaica’s education system is top-tier. My child went from getting at least three homework on weekdays and four or more on the weekends, plus a spelling list to study, to one sheet of paper (ripped from the book) at most, three times per week. I can count on my fingers, the number of times an English language art (reading comprehension) homework came home. At least once per week, my daughter’s class had a substitute teacher, which means that her teacher was absent. The students disobeyed protocols and displayed adult-like behaviour (language and decorum) and overall, the environment didn’t feel like the close-knit community that I am accustomed to.

I was following every social media site when Hurricane Beryl was approaching Jamaica and I thought to myself, what about the migration that is going to hit the education system? How did the Government prepare for it? It’s time to elevate our teachers with the same urgency, preparation, and support we show in the face of natural disasters. As Jamaica braces itself for the next big storm, we’re reminded of the importance of readiness in the face of challenges. Why are we allowing our teachers to leave the country to improve another country’s economy?

With the start of the new school year less than two months away, several agencies have been scouting Jamaican teachers for jobs in the US, Canada, and England, where the salary is more attractive. As migration figures continue to skyrocket, the quality of the education sector and the graduates becomes more questionable. A post by the New York Times dated October 23, 2023, highlighted a 44 per cent decline in migration in 2023 over 2022. However, the sector has lost approximately 10 per cent of teachers. With the current unrest in the wage compensation package for civil servants, many teachers have expressed their utmost disappointment with the Government’s lack of support; as such, we expect a further decline.

By taking a page out of the hurricane preparedness book, the Government can significantly impact the education sector. Let’s provide them with the resources they need to effect change. Our teachers need competitive salaries and benefits comparable to international standards, improved working conditions, recognition and appreciation, and advanced technology to enhance teaching output and student performance.

DELORIS MURRAY-STERLING