By Elgin Taylor, Star Writer

lluidas vale, st. catherine

The problem of teacher migration, which has been a sore point in the education sector for many years could be stemmed if, according to the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), the government completes a study for the reclassification of teachers within the next five months.

In recent times the sector has lost a number of its able professionals mainly to countries like the United States and England. Some educators fear that with the impending free movement of nationals in the Caribbean through the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), the problem could be exacerbated.

High priority

Speaking with THE STAR recently, Hopeton Henry, President of the JTA, said that though not the only reason, the matter of the lack of adequate remuneration is high on the list of priorities of teachers who decide to migrate to other countries. He contends that this could change drastically with the completion of the reclassification exercise, which would see them getting wages of up to 80 per cent of the market rate. This adjustment would be strategically placed, coming a year before the next cycle of salary increases which is due on April 1, 2008. He argued that the government should view this as a window of opportunity which could result in the decision of our teachers to remain in Jamaica. He also revealed that the Government has made a commitment that whenever the exercise is completed, it will be made retroactive to April 1, 2007.

Currently technical teams from the government and the JTA are preparing draft proposals, which will later be reviewed and amended where necessary. It will then have to go to tender and further review before both parties sign off on it.

The last reclassification exercise for teachers in the public education system was done in 1995.