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The Ministry of Education will host a major consultation with education stakeholders on November 11 to review the long-debated Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) Bill. The session aims to address concerns raised by teachers, church bodies, and other partners before finalizing legislation that has been in development for over two decades.
Key Details
Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon announced the upcoming meeting during the Education Transformation Oversight Committee (ETOC) press conference on Thursday.
She said the Ministry will bring all major education partners together — including the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), church groups, principals, and parents — to examine unresolved issues in the JTC Bill before it is reintroduced to Parliament.
“So what we’re doing… we are bringing together all of the key stakeholders for us to again look at the JTC Bill,” Dr Morris Dixon explained. “The JTA has given some comments, the church has also given some comments… and we as a ministry have to listen to everybody because everybody has an opinion on education.”
Dr Morris Dixon noted that while the JTA has already submitted feedback, other groups — particularly the church organizations that own a large number of schools — have also voiced concerns. She emphasized the government’s goal of achieving balance and inclusivity in the final version of the legislation.
Background
The JTC Bill seeks to regulate and professionalize Jamaica’s teaching workforce by introducing licensing, registration, and a code of ethics for educators. However, the Bill has faced repeated delays since its initial drafting more than 20 years ago due to disagreements over several provisions.
One major point of contention is the composition of the Jamaica Teaching Council’s governing board. Of the proposed 31 members, only six would represent classroom teachers via the JTA — a ratio critics say limits teachers’ influence in key decisions.
The JTA has also raised objections to disciplinary powers that could allow the council to hold hearings or revoke licences even after a teacher has been cleared by a school board or the courts. The union argues that this could result in “double jeopardy.”
Another area of concern involves the five-year licence renewal requirement, which includes updated police records. Teachers argue that the process could create administrative burdens and financial strain. The association has also opposed the proposed $500,000 fine for teaching without a valid licence, calling it excessive given current economic conditions.
Former JTA President Dr Mark Smith has warned that such measures could demoralize the profession and deter young Jamaicans from entering teaching, saying the Bill risks “punishing educators instead of empowering them.”
Quotes
Education Minister Dr Morris Dixon said the goal now is to move forward rather than pursue a flawless document:
“We don’t need to be trying to get the perfect Bill. We need to move forward. This is something that for over 20 years we’ve been working on, and we need to finish it and have a Bill. We can always make changes later on.”
ETOC Chairman Dr Adrian Stokes supported the renewed consultation effort but cautioned against further delay:
“We should not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. We’re not necessarily seeking a perfect Bill; we need to make a start, and there will always be opportunities to improve.”
Analysis
The renewed effort to finalize the JTC Bill signals the Government’s intention to strengthen accountability and raise professional standards within the education sector. However, the debate highlights a delicate balance between regulation and teacher autonomy.
Dr Stokes also underscored the need to raise entry standards for teacher training programmes, comparing Jamaica’s system to global benchmarks such as Singapore. He argued that improving the quality of educators must go hand-in-hand with better compensation and recognition.
“If education is going to be our competitive advantage, we need to fundamentally upgrade the requirements to become a teacher,” he said. “And what goes with that is we also need to upgrade the reward and recognition programme for teachers.”
Our Opinion
The Ministry’s decision to convene a unified consultation on the JTC Bill represents a step toward long-overdue reform. However, effective education policy requires not only legislation but consensus and trust. Mykro Wave TV JM believes that the voices of teachers — those who experience the classroom daily — must remain central to shaping any final law. Building a modern, high-quality education system depends on balancing accountability with respect for the professionals who deliver it.
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