The Editor, Sir:

Responding to recent comments made by the Minister of Education, when he stated that performance of students will be closely tied to the performance of teachers. This comment is all well and good in a perfect, oops, near perfect Jamaica. In my opinion it seems this increase is the greatest thing since slice bread.

Mr Minster, apparently you are unaware of what takes place in Jamaican classrooms. The fact of the matter is, if a child does not take the 'gift' of education seriously and holds the opportunity in high esteem, it will amount to nought. Having experienced over ten years in the system, I must confess that there are individuals who are employed as teachers who have the least bit of interest in the system. It's just a means to an end. However, those of us who wish to see an educated population require respect rather than condemnation from a sometimes ungrateful population.

Take, for example, asking a student what career he wishes to pursue and getting the response "a criminal". Why? Because they make more money than so-called professionals. What do you do with a student like this? Break his skull and force information in? Remember teaching is now a battle when you are competing with so many attractive and luring distractions. So tell me, sir, after trying my best for all these years, I may assume that in the past we were not accountable because we were not being paid enough. Therefore, with a now improved salary I am held to task for a child who fails to utilise the opportunities offered?

Fanfare

It has been noted over the years that when other government workers get an increase it is signed off without much fanfare. However, teachers are made to feel like this increase is not deserved or warranted. Think about the conditions some of us work in on a daily basis; overcrowding in classrooms and limited resources that have you so stretched you go home at nights feeling distraught. Bear in mind some of us are not pleased with what was said in spite of you trying to redeem earlier comments by further explaining some of what you meant. Come on, we know the value of money, many of us have gone to the US and worked as babysitters for three weeks to a month and received up to US$1600 just to care for a child or two children.

Mr Minister, as a young educator I am not encouraged to serve the number of years others have in the past. Mind you, accountability is not where my problem lies, as I am always accountable for my actions. Can we say the same for so many who plunder our citizens whether by 'white collar' crimes or otherwise? This so-called business of education is the responsibility of all stakeholders, and I mean ALL.

I am, etc.,

KERRY-ANN NOBLE

natz_noble@yahoo.com