Government open to dialogue on Jamaica Teaching Council Bill
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administrator
The Government has committed to further dialogue on the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) Bill.
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness made the disclosure and reiterated the government’s dedication to elevating the teaching profession while speaking at a Teachers’ Day function at Mico University College on Wednesday.
“Let me assure everyone that the government I lead is a listening government, and to the extent that there are concerns about aspects of the bill, we are willing to listen and engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve these concerns,” he said.
The prime minister highlighted that the initiative to professionalise teaching is not new, referencing the 2004 Education Transformation Task Force and the more recent Education Transformation Commission, chaired by Professor Orlando Patterson, both of which recommended the establishment of a teaching council.
“We cannot continue to treat teaching as less than a profession. It is absolutely important that we professionalise and bring the institutional framework to create the profession of teaching in Jamaica,” Holness stated.
“What we are doing now is not radical. It is overdue. This is a process based on partnership, not punishment. It is about building trust and creating systems that empower educators to do their best work and to be recognised and rewarded for it,” the Prime Minister stated.
Holness pointed out that the JTC Bill also aims to establish a regulatory body responsible for upholding the highest standards in teacher education and professional development, among other matters. It seeks to provide a framework for continuous training, peer review, and support, ensuring that students are taught by individuals who meet clear, transparent, and high-quality benchmarks.
Holness said the government remains committed to working collaboratively with educators, unions, and other stakeholders to ensure that the JTC Bill reflects the collective vision for a world-class education system in Jamaica.
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