The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) has criticised the plans suggested by Opposition Spokesperson for Education, Damion Crawford, which call for adding two more hours to the school day.

President of the JTA, Mark Smith, referred to Crawford’s proposals as little more than a ‘sophisticated rat trap’, claiming that it was both overcomplicated and ignorant of the true problems facing the education industry—a lack of funding and investment.

Smith has argued that for any real progress to be made, teachers first need to be motivated. He cited the ongoing grievances many teachers had concerning their wages, alleging that for any meaningful change and reform to come, the government had to first rectify that issue.

In June this year, Minister of Education Fayval Williams announced that eligible Public Sector workers should expect an increase in their basic salaries of up to 7.5 per cent. However, this news has been regarded as ‘nothing new’ by many in the Educational sector, being deemed as totally insufficient.

“As a teachers’ union, we’re frustrated that 7.5 per cent has been put on the table for our salaries; and we are saying that is unacceptable and we demand more,” the JTA president proclaimed. “We had hoped that the Opposition would be seeking to tackle that issue, which I think would go a far way in helping to motivate teachers and stem the flow of some our best minds leaving our shores.”

Smith went on to say that several of the shortfalls in fields such as literacy and numeracy could be rectified within the current school hours, with any potential changes in the time spent in class being left to Parent-Teacher-Associations (PTAs) the individual school administrations. However, Crawford has vehemently disagreed, stating that such methods are the key to solving the country’s “education crisis”.

On Thursday, July 24th, Crawford addressed several journalists during a press conference, declaring that school days ought to be extended for two hours, an action he believed may help provide additional structure to the lives of students, helping them academically and socially.

“Through remuneration—not for free, teachers—we will seek to extend the school day from 2:30 [pm] to 4:30 [pm] because many of our children are going home without adult supervision at 2:30,” he announced.

Following this statement, the Opposition spokesperson began to come under fire, with several accusing him of desiring to have teachers work an additional two hours for free, without being paid. On July 25th, Crawford clarified, stating that it was not his intention for education staff to be essentially working overtime without any salary increase.

“Participation in the extended school day was not for free but was indeed to be compensated. This directly refutes claims that teachers would be asked to work additional hours without pay,” Crawford said. “I have always stood in defence of Jamaica’s teachers. I would never support a policy that is not in the best interest of both teachers and students.”