JTA – ITS ORIGIN, OBJECTIVES

1. JTA – ITS ORIGIN, OBJECTIVES STRUCTURES AND SERVICES OFFERED TO TEACHERS

2. J.T.A.’s MISSION STATEMENT The JTA is a democratic organization dedicated to the professional, financial and social advancement of its members and the promotion of the highest educational standards for the country.

3. J.T.A.’s VISION STATEMENT To be the regional benchmark for teacher membership organizations; setting standards of excellence in service delivery and committed to national development through education.

4. The Origin of the JTA • The JTA was founded on April 2, 1964. • The instruments governing membership and procedures of the body were examined and ratified at the inaugural conference held on April 2, 1964. • The resolutions constituting the Association were passed at a special conference at Excelsior High School on December 14, 1963.

5. The Origin of the JTA cont’d. • The Association was formed from the merger of five teachers’ associations that existed up to April 2, 1964. • Jamaica Union of Teachers (JUT), Association of Headmasters and Headmistresses (H2M2), the Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions (ATTS) and the Association of Assistant Masters and Mistresses (A2M2)

6. The Origin of the JTA cont’d. • These five associations pursued parallel and separate objectives until the late 1950s when proposal to unify began to take shape. • Major factors that gave impetus to the unification of the teachers’ unions into the Jamaica Teachers’ Association.

7. The Origin of the JTA cont’d. The major factors included: • Jamaica’s attainment of self-government in 1957. • The introduction of the free place system • The draft bill to regulate the education system.

8. The Origin of the JTA cont’d. • Consequently, the executives of the five groups formed the Joint Executives of Teachers’ Associations (JETA). • The JETA was mandated to make representation on matters related to education and teachers. • In pursuance of this, the group decided to unify into a single teachers’ organization.

9. AIMS OF THE JTA • To promote the educational interests of the country and keep the public informed concerning important educational matters. • To promote and maintain unity in the teaching profession and safeguard the interests of its matters. • To help in the maintaining of high ethical standards among all teachers.

10. AIMS OF THE JTA cont’d. • To make representation on matters on common interests and concern to teachers at all levels. • To represent to the Ministry of Education the teachers’ ideas and experience on educational issues. • To establish relationships with Teachers’ Organizations throughout the world.

11. GOVERNANCE • The JTA is administered by a group of elected officers and professional staff. • The elected group is headed by the Presidents, i.e. President, President-Elect and Immediate Past President. • The other elected officials represent Parish and District Associations.

13. THE SECRETARIAT SECRETARY GENERAL SENIOR SECRETARY, MEMBER SERVICES SENIOR SECRETARY ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE SECRETARY BUSINESS SERVICES

14. GOVERNANCE cont’d. • The District Association (DA) is the level at which all teachers have the opportunity to participate in policy formation and programmes of the Association. • There are seventy-six District Associations and fourteen Parish Associations. • The Annual Conference of delegates determine the policies of the Association.

15. GOVERNANCE cont’d. • The General Council made up of the Parish and District Associations meets quarterly and acts on the behalf of the conference. • The Central Executive meets monthly and monitors the implementation of policies and programmes.

16. GOVERNANCE cont’d. • The professional staff is headed by the Secretary General who directs the daily functions, administrations of the Association. • The Secretary General is supported by Secretaries responsible for specific areas of the Association’s work.

17. GOVERNANCE cont’d. These are: • Administration and Finance • Member Services • Business Services • Professional Services

18. GOVERNANCE cont’d. • There are also four Regional Offices. These are located in Mandeville, Port Maria, Montego Bay and at the Head Office in Kingston. • JTA Liaison Officer • The Head Office is located at 97B Church Street.

19. SERVICES OFFERED BY THE J.T.A. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS • Negotiates with Government for salaries and fringe benefits. • Keeps under scrutiny the operations of the Education Laws and the regulations derived from them as these relate to the conditions of service of teachers. • Seeks to improve the conditions under which teachers work.

20. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS cont’d. • Represents concerns of teachers to the Ministry of Education. • Provide advice to teachers to personal and professional matters.

21. ECONOMIC SERVICES • Investment Schemes managed by the JTA Allied Groups • Motor Vehicle Insurance • Airline booking • Discount from major business enterprises • Overseas and local tours • Business Advice and Marketing Services

22. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES • Scholarships, notably the A. Wesley Powell Memorial Scholarship for Teachers. • Co-ordinates scholarships for the Private Sector. • Victoria Mutual Building Society • T.I.P. Friendly Society • Kingston Bookshop

23. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES cont’d. Awards to Teachers • Roll of Honour • W.B.C. (Ben) Hawthorne • Edith Dalton-James • R.C. Tavares • Golden Torch • Prime Minister’s

24. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES cont’d. • Part-time Professional Certificate in Education Administration and Supervision. • New Teachers’ Seminars • Leadership Seminars • Pre Retirement Seminars • Computer Course

25. J.T.A. ALLIED GROUPS • The JTA Co-operative Credit Union created for JTA members as a source of credit at a reasonable rate of interest for productive and provident purposes. • Its head office is at 97A Church Street, telephone: 922-6841, 922-2009, 922-2011.

26. JAMAICA PUBLISHING HOUSE • The JPH is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JTA. The company publishes textbooks for readers at primary, secondary and tertiary levels that regional in content and focus. • Its head office is at 97B Church Street, Kingston.

27. J.T.A.’s ROLE IN EDUCATION The Jamaica Teachers’ Association functions both as a Trade Union and a Professional Organization.

28. As a union it: • negotiates improved salaries and fringe benefits for its members; • negotiates conditions of service, e.g. working environment, job security, insurance and vacation; • guarantees freedom from victimization;

29. provides support on professional, personal and other matters to teachers; • provides membership education; • establish links with international organizations to form powerful lobby group.

30. As a professional body, the JTA seeks to: • promote the educational interests of the country and keep the public informed concerning important educational matters; • promote and maintain unity in the teaching profession and safeguard the interest of its members

31. help in maintain high ethical and professional standards among all teachers; • make representations on matters of common interest and concern to teachers at all levels; • represent to the Ministry of Education the teachers and experience on educational issues; • establish relationships with teachers’ unions throughout the world.

32. In seeking to satisfy the needs of the members, the Association offers various services. Professional Services • Provides scholarships • Conducts Pre-retirement Seminars • Offers Professional Relations Services • Provides a teacher resource centre • Hosts conferences • Hosts Contact Teachers’ Seminars • Co-ordinates scholarships for the Private Sector

33. Professional services cont’d. • Provides awards to teachers • Promotes in-service education through seminars, workshops and short courses • Hosts part-time certificate courses in Education Administration and Supervision • Hosts New Teachers’ Seminars • Hosts Leadership Seminars

34. Economic Services The JTA provides: • Overseas and local tours • Business Advice and Counselling • Marketing Services • Airline Booking • Discount from major business enterprises • and promotes investments schemes managed by the JTA and Allied Groups

35. These activities are guided and supported by: • The Code of Ethics and programmes offered by b. The Professional Services Unit

36. THE CODE OF ETHICS The Constitution of the JTA stipulates the among the objectives of the Association is the promotion of high professional, ethical and moral standards among teachers. The Cod of Ethics is one of the ways by which the Association seeks to accomplish this objective.

37. The Code of Ethics came into effect in 1977 after intensive and extensive discussion of the draft circulated to schools, Parish and District Associations. It was amended by Annual conference in 1992. It is a tool to assist teachers in evaluating their behaviour and conduct.

38. THE CODE OF ETHICS cont’d. The Preamble states that: “The teacher recognizes the magnitude of the responsibility inherent in the teaching process. The necessity to earn the respect and confidence of one’s colleagues, students, parents and the members of the community.”

39. THE CODE OF ETHICS cont’d. Provides the incentive to attain and maintain the highest possible degree of ethical conduct. The Code of Ethics sets standards of conduct for teachers in Jamaica. ‘Teacher’ refers to both teachers and principals.

40. THE CODE OF ETHICS cont’d. It speaks to five (5) sets of Principles. • In relation to students • In relation to colleagues • In relation to the Association • In relation to employers • General

41. THE CODE OF ETHICS cont’d. The Code of Ethics applies to all members of the Association. Complaint of violation of the principles made to the Association by any person or group may be regarded as a charge of unprofessional conduct and shall be investigated by the Association through the proper channels.

42. The JTA’s impact on the profession and professionalism can be viewed through its achievements over the years.

43. HIGHLIGHTS ON ACHIEVEMENTS Some programmes already completed: • Printing of : * Study Circle Basic Material * Study Circle 2nd level materials * Study Circle – Papers on special issues, e.g. HIV/AIDS, Pensions, Corporal Punishment in Schools, etc. * JTA Code of Ethics

44. *The Professional Organization Representing Teachers in Jamaica * Consultation on Literacy in Primary Schools * Hosting of Conferences on - Primary Education - Secondary Education - Educational Management and Supervision - Managing Classroom Behaviour, 21st Century Challenges, Approaches and Solutions - Strategies for Success – Reaching Every Learner - Middle Managers ( Vice Principals/Senior Teachers)

45. * Volumes of ‘The Clarion’ – Professional magazine of the JTA. * Updated Discount List (2009 – 2010) * Early Childhood Conference supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat. * Summer courses for Principals/Vice Principals/Senior Teachers in collaboration with the Canadian Teachers’ Federation

46. * North American and Caribbean Regional Conference. * Interactive Personality Awareness Workshop * Mediation Training (1988 – first institution to be involved in Conflict Resolution and Mediation through islandwide workshops) * Workshop on Crisis Management.

47. Ongoing programmes include: • Production of JTA Reporter • Production of JTA Bulletin • Production of Trail Blazer series • Special Conference each year focusing on current issues • Teachers’ Time Programme (done on a weekly basis) • Helen Stills Professional Development Day

48. New Teachers’ Seminars (serve as recruitment, introduction and professional development). • Contact Teachers’ Seminars • Computer Training Programmes • Hosting of teachers in HIV/AIDS Prevention. • Leadership Training through the League for the Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers (LECT) which takes place in Britain.

49. Aspects of Protocol and Events Planning • The Association also collaborates in the hosting of the EduVision Conference • Professional Development conferences hosted by: - Education International - American Federation of Teachers

50. AFFILIATION The JTA has over the years been associated with International and Regional organizations including the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT), the World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession (now renamed EI formed in 1992 from a merger of WCOTP and International Free Teachers’ Union), the National Union of Teachers, National Education Association,