A resolution advising Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) members not to be involved in fund-raising activities to assist in financing the operation of schools was on Tuesday withdrawn at the association's 44th annual conference.
Michael Stewart, president of the Association of Principals and Vice-Principals, who moved the resolution, said teachers have been carrying out these activities for decades. However, he noted that the time has come for them to stop because it affects the teaching and learning process.
But Dorothy Raymond, senior secretary for administration and finance, cautioned against schools not being involved in fund-raising events. The educators then decided to withdraw the resolution.
Last month, Prime Minister Bruce Golding labelled as extortion, the practice of some schools charging auxiliary fees outside of the Government's guidelines and to make those fees compulsory.
Golding said schools needed to go back to fund-raising activities. Stewart was peeved by Golding's pronouncements and demanded an apology. However, Golding has not publicly apologised. Nonetheless, Stewart said this resolution was in no way related to Golding's statement.