New JTA head looks to raise standards in education

Nadisha Hunter, Staff Reporter

The incoming president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), Clayton Hall, has warned that his administration will be very robust and extremely meticulous in achieving its goals geared towards improving the education system.

Hall will be inducted today at the JTA's three-day annual conference, but will take up his duties on September 1.

Hall, who is the principal of the Spanish Town High School, said he would be looking at remuneration issues for the teachers, while addressing limitations that exist at some educational institutions.

Economic viability

"It is my firm belief that in order to attract and retain suitably qualified teachers we need to ensure that the economic viability of the teaching profession is enhanced, while at the same time ensuring that we look at the things such as minimum standards in education to ensure that students need not travel from very long distances to get to schools that are considered very good," Hall said. "But we must ensure that we elevate the standards across the board."

Additionally, Hall said he would be working to see greater improvement at the early childhood and special education levels as well as improvement in male education.

"We find that too many of our males are underachievers in the system. We are also hoping to see some movement on special education to move away from what is currently the practice of dealing with just remediation to where we also consider the issues and challenges because, they too, need to be assessed in the education process," he added.

Hall explained that his first move would be to hold dialogue with the Ministry of Education.

nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com