143 study leave applications approved for teachers

It appears the Government has relaxed its earlier position on study leave entitlements to teachers.



Yesterday, word came from Elaine Foster Allen, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education that the ministry has approved 143 applications for full time study leave during the upcoming new Academic year.



At a meeting of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee yesterday Foster-Allen disclosed that the number approved for this year is significantly below the average – 800 teachers go off on study leave with pay each year.



Education Minister Ronald Thwaites, came under fire last month from the Jamaica Teachers' Association when he announced that the Government could no longer afford $2.5 billion each year to sustain leave entitlements to teachers.



Thwaites had said that drastic changes would be made to the existing arrangement.



The Ministry's latest move forms part of the Extended Fund Facility agreement between the Government and the International Monetary Fund.



Foster Allen told members of the PAC that the ministry has facilitated study leave for teachers in selected areas such as language arts, math, science, early childhood education and special education.



She said this approach would prevent the teachers from being bonded.



In addition, Foster Allen said the ministry would pay back teachers 50 per cent of the cost of tuition fees.



North Central St Andrew Member of Parliament Karl Samuda wants most of the teachers’ debts, to be forgiven.



He has described the more than $473 million owed by delinquent teachers who violate their bond agreement with Government as chicken feed.



Samuda argued that whether the teachers lived in Jamaica or abroad their contributions would benefit the country.



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