Latoya Grindley, Features Writer

BARCLAY

The effectiveness of some high-school teachers is being stifled by deficiencies in the education sector, according to President of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), Ena Barclay.

She says the quality of work put out by the teachers is dependent on various factors, which are lacking in some schools.

"There are many deficiencies impacting on teachers' performance in schools. I mean, it has to do with the conditions they have to work in, the type of students they get, and what the ministry of education is willing to do in terms of resources," she told The Gleaner this week. She was reacting to the newspaper's April 8 Education 2020 editorial project, which ranked high schools according to their performance in English and math from 2006-07, unveiling a number of worrying findings. In some cases, the publication showed, upgraded high schools failed to register a single pass in math.

Better results

Barclay said that with the proper elements in place, teachers would be able to work more effectively, ultimately getting better results.

The JTA, Barclay said, in recognising the hardships teachers face, has been responsible for a number of programmes aimed at helping to motivate educators.

"We have arranged meetings with teachers in the form of workshops. In these workshops, we talk to the teachers about maintaining their professionalism. We also encourage the teachers to upgrade themselves and to engage in self-advancement."

Barclay said that while the JTA was doing its best in terms of getting the best results from teachers, the ministry of education also has its part to play.

"If there is a deficiency in the system, the employer (ministry of education) should put in measures to deal with the issues at hand. I mean, there are weaknesses. Workshops could be an option for them as well to deal with some of the problems. The ministry has a job to do and the Jamaica Teachers' Association has one to do too."

latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com