Jamaica Teachers Association disappointed with ministry’s plan to recruit overseas teachers

KINGSTON, Jamaica — President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), Leighton Johnson has expressed his concern and disappointment in the Ministry of Education’s plan to recruit overseas teachers for the 2024/25 school year, which begins in September.

Despite efforts to retain teaching talent, the allure of international teaching positions continues to entice educators, leading to an ongoing challenge for the Jamaican education sector. The ministry is currently engaging teachers from Nigeria, Ghana, the Philippines and India.

In a statement on Wednesday, Johnson noted that while the decision is a measure to mitigate the current teacher shortage across the country, it highlights a significant problem that requires urgent action.

The JTA president noted that Jamaica is home to at least 10 tertiary institutions dedicated to the noble profession of teacher training. He said these institutions have, for decades, produced educators of the highest caliber equipped to nurture and develop young minds.

Noting this, Johnson said it is a sad day for the country when “we must once again resort to foreign teachers to fill roles that our own qualified and capable educators should occupy.”

“The migration of teachers from Jamaica is not a new phenomenon, but its recent intensification is a clear indication of deeper systemic issues that need addressing. Our teachers are the backbone of our education system, and their departure in search of better opportunities abroad highlights the urgent need to improve the salaries, conditions and incentives for our educators here at home,” Johnson said.

Johnson argues that while he appreciates the ministry’s efforts to ensure students do not suffer due to the shortage of teachers, the solution is temporary and does not address the systemic and root causes of the problem.

“It is imperative that we focus on creating an environment where our teachers feel valued, supported, and adequately compensated for their invaluable contributions to our society,” he said.

In an effort to aid schools with the recruitment process, the Education ministry dispatched various strategies weeks in advance of the academic year.

Schools received pre-approval to make early recruitment decisions, with the green light given for engaging part-time teachers, retired educators, and pre-trained graduates in their final year of study.

Reports are that schools were also advised to utilize an array of classroom management tactics, including merging small classes and increasing the use of information communication technology.

Johnson still believes these measures are not enough “The salary structure for teachers must be competitive and aligned to international standards. There is the urgent need for retention incentives to encourage teachers to remain in our classrooms. This again is in keeping with best practices and international trends,” Johnson said.

He added that it is also imperative for the government to seriously contemplate non-monetary incentives, such as reduced mortgage rates for teachers, tax reliefs for the purchasing of motor vehicles, land gifting and student loan debt forgiveness for teachers and teacher’s children as viable incentives to keep teachers.