The Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) said it was concerned about a decision by the Ministry of Education and Youth to have the Grade Four Literacy Intervention programme implemented by schools during June.

This action, the JTA said, is being taken without adequate notice being given to schools for them to make the necessary arrangements.

The programme is usually conducted during the summer holiday but a bulletin was published in the daily papers, last week, and subsequently sent to schools, informing them of the change.

"Schools made up their calendar of activities for the academic year based on their knowledge that the intervention normally takes place during the summer holidays," said the JTA in a statement.

"The association believes that if the principals were to implement the intervention in June, it would affect other activities they have planned for the end of the academic year."

Cost-cutting exercise

The JTA said, contrary to what the Ministry states in the bulletin about more students benefiting from the exercise, it believed that the ministry's action was part of a cost-cutting exercise.

"The ministry needs to show greater respect to school administrations by giving them adequate notice when changes in established programmes and activities are contemplated," the JTA said.