By Omar Anderson, Staff Reporter 
Gabbidon
WENTWORTH GABBIDON, principal of Pike All-Age School, Manchester, has been chosen the Jamaica Teachers' Association's president-elect, following last month's election.
He amassed 5,869 votes to defeat Evelyn Gyles, principal of Shortwood Practising and Junior High, St. Andrew, who polled 4,675. Mr. Gabbidon is set to assume the top JTA post in August 2003 when Sadie Comrie, the current president-elect, completes her tenure as JTA president.
The incumbent president is Paul Adams, who relinquishes office next month at the JTA's 38th annual conference at Jamaica Grande, Ocho Rios, St. Ann. The conference will also see Ms. Comrie officially assuming office.
Dr. Adolph Cameron, the JTA's secretary-general, told The Gleaner that the total of 10,547 votes which both candidates received in the June election, represented 58 per cent of the 20,000 teachers in some 1,000 schools who were eligible to vote.
During the run-up to the election, Mr. Gabbidon, who is pursuing a Master's degree from Nova South-eastern University, Florida, said his goals include continuing to agitate for better salaries and conditions of service for all teachers, comparable to the salaries and benefits of other public sector workers.
The other goals, he said, include expanding programmes to assist teachers pursue academic and professional development; advocating the provision of substitute teachers in schools when extended absences are created by teachers having to attend workshops/seminars; advocating the appointment of vice-principals in all educational institutions, and lobbying for greater emphasis to be placed on provisions for exceptional students.
