PRESIDENT of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) La Sonja Harrison has called for stakeholders to place all hands on deck to cushion the education system in these challenging times as it faces a shortage of teachers and other resources, including funding.

“We are heading for challenging times, but we are able, if all stakeholders put our heads together, to meet the challenges and do the best that we can. The teachers are anticipating their laptops; Some have not yet received theirs. The roll-out has not yet started for the high school practitioners and there are some in primary schools that have not yet received the much-needed tools.

“Those are some of the things that the teachers and administrators will be mulling over and seeking how best they will be able to navigate. We ask parents where they can, to support the schools and volunteer where they can and we will see how best we will treat with the challenges that will arise as we seek to settle in this new academic year,” she told the Jamaica Observer on Sunday.

The JTA president highlighted a number of concerns facing the new school year which kicks off today.

She pointed out that human resources is definitely a challenge, due to the vast numbers of teachers who have left and are leaving the education system for better opportunities, or due to retirement.

“We encourage the teachers even in the face of the crisis, to remain steadfast for those who chose to remain but I am sure administrators will be finalising deployment even as this week unravels because there is anticipation that we may just have additional notices of people who may be resigning and they may not fill. I am sure they will have to take this week to seek opportunities to engage qualified people to fill the vacant spaces,” she said.

Principal of Jamaica College, Wayne Robinson, corroborated Harrison’s point. He told the Observer that he is still trying to fill teacher posts.

Robinson shared that he also has numerous concerns having to do with infrastructure.

“We just started our painting and fixing of bathrooms this week because the money was not there to do it. We need desks chairs.”

According to the JTA president, furniture continues to be a challenge and many schools are awaiting a supply of furniture, “in order to meet the need of every learner and teachers as well”. She was concerned that some teachers will have to stand and deliver entire lessons to their students due to a shortage of furniture.

Harrison pointed out that many schools at the primary level have not received resources promised by the Ministry of Education.

“Text books are to be provided for students from grades one to six. In particular, grade six books I have been told have been delivered to a large extent. There are still a few school waiting, but grades four and five texts that have been promised, we are anticipating that that promise will be delivered this year.”

She alluded that it will be a struggle to provide lunches for students on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), while meeting the needs of suppliers.

“Some schools have to make to do with what they have concerning PATH grants. Food prices have escalated and yet we have received no increase concerning PATH grants which is $120 for lower school and $150 for upper school students.

“Schools will be dependent on those who make contributions re lunch fees in order to meet the needs of their suppliers in some cases. We anticipate that parents will cooperate in terms of making their contributions especially at the secondary level if it is even to engage administrators in a payment plan.”

Harrison is waiting to see how well parents will be positioned to finance “these harsh economic times and how they will help their children and how they are going to help them return to the learning space.”

On Saturday at a back-to-school treat for the children of Woodford Park in the Trafalagar Division of St Andrew put on by their councillor, Kari Douglas, parents expressed how grateful they were for donations of school bags, exercise books and book vouchers that helped to cushion the load on their pockets.

Karlene Smith brought her grandson and grandnephew to indulge in Saturday’s excitement and giveaways. Smith told the Observer that she was happy for the treat and pointed out that many parents have difficulty affording simple back to school supplies and therefore was thankful to Douglas for putting on the event.

“We are happy because this treat helps out a lot of people. A lot of people in the community are not employed and if they even do have a job, their pay is not enough. People are just really happy because things are hectic all over the island and the world.

“Back to school shopping is very hectic. The uniforms and books are expensive. We really needed a cushion to help us because you don’t want your kids to go to school without books. I look forward to the kids going back to school for a full year. They were losing their social contact with people because they had to be staying home for two years due to COVID-19. It was really affecting them a lot. Last year when they got the little chance to go back to school there was always a sense of war and disunity because everybody felt like they were in somebody else’s space,” she said.