Neglecting Teachers’ Needs Has Long-Term Effects on Students, Families and Society
Education Minister Hon. Darryl Matthew
faces harsh criticism from Hon. Kelvin Simon, M.P. for St. Mary’s South, for not fulfilling his promise to pay teachers their overdue salaries by September 5th. Despite the Minister’s announcement that all outstanding debts would be settled and schools would operate normally, teachers remained unpaid, leading to chaos in many schools.
M.P. Simon describes this delay in payment as reckless and believes that it puts the welfare of students at risk. At Jennings Secondary School, children were seen roaming the streets throughout the day. Some students had to walk home because the school bus failed to show up. Having reneged on a previous commitment to pay the teachers, Simon emphasized the need to immediately address this issue to ensure positive student outcomes and foster a supportive educational environment.
M.P. Simon, a former teacher, claims that it is a tough time for teachers as they had expected outstanding payments to be settled before returning to school. He posits that government’s failure to adequately compensate teachers, is a major contributing factor to the teacher shortage and declining student performance.
“Teachers are paid less than other professionals with similar education levels. Low salaries is already a major source of stress and by failing to deliver on its promises, this only adds to their frustration. Many also face poor working conditions, like poorly ventilated classrooms, limited supplies and inadequate resources,” M.P. Simon said.
Simon also points out that research spanning years has consistently highlighted the connection between competitive teacher salaries, resource investment and positive student outcomes. Amidst ongoing debates about the declining student performance, Simon is disheartened to witness blame being directed solely at teachers.
“There is an urgent need to address the compensation of teachers. They are entrusted with one of the most vital tasks in our country: educating the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and citizens. We owe it to our future generations. By ensuring that teachers can provide for their families, own a home and live a reasonably comfortable life, we empower them to unleash the full potential of our students. We must invest in today’s teachers for tomorrow’s future,” M.P. Simon said.
The St. Mary’s South representative asserts that education remains a low priority for the ABLP administration. He also cites the government’s failure to install air conditioning units in schools as another bluff that must be immediately addressed. M.P. Simon believes that the time has come for the government to shift its priorities and to channel its energies to put teachers at the center of our nation’s education investments.
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The MP really believes that. So whatever gains have been made is by the process of osmosis? It is time for us all to come together and make even more strides educationly. We all stand to benefit and our nation-state future will be in safe hands.
this coming from the man who STUMBLED AND FUMBLED his way through READING a script from Gizzypoo at that infamous ” stress conference”
Sure up to now Azara Lavia laughing in her sleep. Shehad to help him with the pronunciation and grammar…..so embaRASSing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what a clown! all he good for is to party and winkup shirtless………purposely fake resignation date on letter to hold on to government salary. NO INTEGRITY!!!! a GREEDY, shirtless party animal and PREACHERMAN pretending to care about people
Hello All – Can we please focus. The problem is the non-paid promised overdue salaries by September 5th, 2024 to our Teachers. These precious professionals sacrificing so much and responsible for the education and to some extent, the safety of our children in these trying times are being ignored by those responsible for the owed money that will put food on the table for their families. Monies are made available, like falling from heavens, for so many other “things”, so this is a clear disrespect and lack of consideration towards our teachers. Is there no money? So why the promise to pay with a date and everything and then don’t comply?
why should they get these monies??? The children are FAILING MATH ando ther subjects!!! It’s the TEACHERS FAULT! when a sports team keep losing they sack the coaches, not give them more more money!!
some money hungry teachers clabber to get “certificate” and their students still failing and under performing.
If you listen to the President of their union, you understand why the students are failing. He himself needs lessons
Shuggy how about you stop coming to our hotel with different young women every weekend?
@ Ebenezer
You want he for come wid you?
You never see Cutie and Gaston too or you pretend to be blind when we both see them. Such dam hypocrites.
APOSTLE Shugy Simon of the NAZARENE CHURCH….is that you??? You remember your WEDDING VOWS??? wifey slim down yet?
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