We are losing specialist teachers in many subjects, including technical areas. Some schools have been without specialist teachers for more than two years, and they have decided to streamline these disciplines,” Johnson said.

I propose that we embark on a national initiative to fill our teachers’ colleges with creative thinkers who inspire this generation because the teaching profession requires the brightest minds,” he added.

The JTA president also said we are grateful for those temporary solutions to shift our focus from solely recruitment to retention. This can only be achieved if we give our teachers what they truly deserve.

The Caribbean, including Jamaica, has become a prime recruiting ground for European and Asian nations willing to pay the highest salaries to teachers, Johnson said.

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