JAMAICA

TEACHERS'
ASSOCIATION- JTA
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
PRESENTATION

Group Members:
Shaniel Holness, Jovel Weir, Ashley Miller, Lenoy
Campbell
INTRODUCTION 

 The Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) is a democratic

organization responsible for the enhancement and protection of
the economic welfare, professional development and personal
well-being of its members and the promotion of the educational
interests of the country of Jamaica. 
 Their vision is to be the Regional benchmark for teachers'
membership organizations; setting standards of excellence in
service delivery and commitment to national development
through education.
FUNCTION OF
THE JTA
  They do professional
development (Eg: Workshops,
Seminars, etc.): The JTA uses
professional development to give
teachers the opportunity to learn
and apply new knowledge and
skills that can help them in their
job and further their career.
FUNCTION OF
THE JTA 
 Teacher Representation
(Industrial Relations): The
Industrial Relations is used: to
promote the welfare of the
teachers, pursue higher
productivity to create economic
conditions and provide a
framework of rights and
responsibilities for the teachers
and staffs. 
 FUNCTION OF THE JTA 

 They assist teachers with critical illness expenditures:  Due to

many educators, who have served the education system well for
many years, are now finding it difficult to finance their healthcare
needs. So, the JTA, with the help of several financial institutions,
launched their own critical illness trust fund for teachers and
other educators affected by non-communicable diseases.
 FUNCTION OF THE JTA 

  They propose education policies (Eg: Review existing,

critique policies): By proposing, reviewing and critiquing
educational policies, it will help schools to establish operating
procedures and create standards of quality learning and teaching,
as well as set out expectations and accountability.
FUNCTION OF
THE JTA 
  They give out
Scholarships and
Grants:  With the issue of
scholarships and grants, it
will help both teachers and
students to go higher in their
education, which will in the
long-run, provide more
opportunities. 
 
FUNCTION OF THE JTA 

 They negotiate for salaries and conditions for service for

teachers: The Jamaica Teachers' Association has the sole
bargaining rights of teachers employed in public sector schools.
The Association represents most teachers employed in privately
owned preparatory institutions and instructors employed to the
statutory entity HEART Trust/NTA. Our members enjoy the
benefits of full collective bargaining and participate in:
FUNCTION OF THE JTA 
 1) The Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee fully
reflects all the categories of teachers/instructors of the
Association's membership. (Eg: The JTA reached an
accommodation with the Government; signing a 12-month Heads
of Agreement for a four percent increase in wages and allowances
for the contract period April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.)

 2) Direct negotiations with the agencies:

Ministry of Finance and the Public Service HEART Trust/NTA
Boards of respective private institutions.
 3) The voting process determining whether an offer for settlement
is accepted or not.
PROCESS CARRIED OUT BY THE JTA

 The JTA is administered by a group of elected officers and a

professional staff. The elected group is headed by the Presidents,
i.e. President, President-Elect and Immediate Past President. The
other elected officers represent Parish and District Associations.
The District Association (DA) is the level at which all teachers
can participate in policy formation and programmes of the
association. There are seventy-six District Associations and
fourteen Parish Associations.
References

“Jamaica Teachers’ Association |.” Jamaica Teachers’ Association |, 23 Aug. 2022,

www.jta.org.jm.
“Critical Illness Fund Established for Teachers | News | Jamaica Gleaner.” Critical Illness
Fund Established for Teachers | News | Jamaica Gleaner, 22 Aug. 2019, jamaica-
gleaner.com/article/news/20190822/critical-illness-fund-established-teachers.