Damion Mitchell, News Coordinator
AT THE Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), 39th Annual Conference on August 18, 2003, the organisation unveiled its Strategic Plan for 2003-2006.
That plan contained failing grades for the management of the JTA in six key areas.
The association's own members had given the JTA 59.9 per cent for leadership and administration; 43 per cent for representation; 55.2 per cent for communication; 62 per cent for structure and function; 56.8 per cent for quality of service and 47.6 per cent for financial management.
At that time, Wentworth Gabbidon was assuming the presidency of the JTA. He would serve for sixteen months instead of the usual 12, as his successor, Michael Clarke, was ill at the scheduled start of his presidential term.
According to Mr. Gabbidon, the JTA was moving into what he called modernisation mode.
But with only 12 months to go before the end of the three-year implementation period for the JTA's strategic plan, incoming president Ruel Reid says the organisation has only attained 50 per cent of its objectives.
"I can't take responsibility for the management of the JTA over the years," said Mr. Reid adding that his duty now is to continue the implementation of the strategic plan.
'INCREASE MEMBERSHIP FEES'
The incoming president also said the JTA has been restricted in effecting some aspects of the plan due to a lack of funding. The strategic plan had in fact recommended an increase in JTA membership fees.
Meanwhile, Mr. Reid said he would be making an effort to improve, communication between the association's administration and its members.
But just how will the JTA improve its financial management for which the organisation was graded 47.6 per cent by its members in 2003?
According to Mr. Reid, it is essential that the JTA continue to cut its expenditure where necessary. He also said the organisation's audited financial statements, to be tabled at next week's conference, will reveal "significant" surpluses.
Mr. Reid says he remains dissatisfied with the level of advancement the JTA has made in the area of representation of its members.
