JTA president wants equitable access to education

President of the Jamaica Teachers' Association, La Sonja Harrison, has called for equitable educational opportunities for all.

"Regardless of your political inclination, we will not survive if we do not collectively and individually revisit the foundation on which we have built our personal life as well as our school system," she said. "The legacies of colonialism that perpetuate the haves and the have-nots need uprooting and should be replaced with access to equitable educational opportunities."

Harrison, who delivered a back-to-school message at the start of the new school year, cautioned that Brand Jamaica is at risk and called on citizens to ask honest questions about the state of education.

"Have we articulated a philosophy of education crafted by Jamaican educators and stakeholders underpinned by traditional Jamaican values influenced by Judaeo-Christian principles, that seeks to meet the educational needs of all Jamaican children irrespective of whence they hail?" Harrison asked. "Have we determined that this pillar is most critical to the growth and development of our human capital, the greatest asset of this nation? We are Brand Jamaica. Fellow Jamaicans this brand is at risk!"

Harrison also encouraged parents to invest in their children's education and continue to make the sacrifices.

"You have a voice when you participate. Spare the time to visit school, attend PTA [parent-teacher association] meetings, check those books and bags, ensure homework is done and where there are concerns, engage teachers in conversations, not quarrels," she said. "We are working toward partnerships because your children are our children. Parents, pay attention to the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of your children! The more secure your children are in these three areas, the more ready they are for the teacher to unearth all their gifts and talents." Harrison also called on corporate sponsors to lend their support as "it takes cash to care".

"Might I implore you to reduce the mixed signals you may be communicating to the children in promoting the value of education on one hand, yet supporting activities that counter/contradict the benefits on the other. We cannot continue to confuse the nation's children," she said. She also invited Jamaicans to return to the practice of the village raising the child.

"May we seek to protect our children, not harm them, physically, emotionally and otherwise, within our school walls or externally. Those who are confirmed to be abusers of our children must be removed from the profession and regular society," she said.