Fire Those Striking Teachers?

This was a quick response to an article 'Fire the 'Striking' Teachers' in the Jamaica Gleaner written by Dr. Daniel's Fider, Associate Professor of Leadership at the Northern Caribbean University. It's short, check it out here http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100504/letters/letters1.html

Of the few times that I read the letter of the day, this one time I was most appalled. Mr. fider's article is the quintessence of intellectual stupidity, it is laughable, and a prime example of the "let us bend over and take it back ways" mentality. How incredulous it is to call into question the LEADERSHIP of the JTA without making greater reference to the inconsistency that so vulgarly 'decorates' the leadership of the govt and their continued irresponsibility to honour the contractual agreements made with the already underpaid and overworked educators.

Additionally, how snobbish and fallacious it is to make a generalization about the lack of qualification and passion of 'many of those we employ to teach'. How does Dr. Fider know this? Even if he is right, isn't it the govt's responsibility to ensure that our educational infrastructure receives the significant budgetary attention that mitigates stress among principals and teachers and promotes passion. Isn't it the govt's job to ensure that educational systems provide teachers with the best training to enhance their aptitude and attitude?

It is the govt, as the major custodians of the Jamaican people, who is holding our children and our teachers at ransom when they; a. poorly manage and ignore innovative financial and institutional systems that may provide significant budgetary increase towards education, b. Fail to actively promote the introduction of new cutting edge skill areas/specializations that will appeal to a broader range of potential teachers and shape new and existing industries, and c. Fail to show educators a feasible plan, policy or reform that will ensure their livelihood, and by extension the livelihood of those they educate.

Finally, many times the cost of national and/or institutional change is 'insensitivity' and 'unreasonableness' to unjust and failing leaders, policies and systems, unfortunately the collateral damage in those moments are inevitable. Is the strike worth it? For the right or our hard working citizens to receive their due remuneration - it is worth it. In an effort to ensure our children's right to receive the dollar value on their education in the future - it is worth it. And, to challenge our govt. to make education a top priority - it is worth it!

Andre P. Llewellyn©2010