A very special welcome to the 38th Annual Conference of the Jamaica Teachers'Association.

Those of us who are present at this Conference are indeed blessed to have survived another year with all the usual problems, and the additional turmoil caused by the tragedy of September 11, 2001.

The theme for this year's Conference is Ïnformation Technology and The Delivery of Quality Education."

The theme is a very timely one as the matter of access quality and equity are being given much attention in several parts of the world. One of the main barriers to obtaining all of these is cost.

Information Technology must be seen as one major source of providing greater access to education, because by its very nature it can help to meet the needs of persons who are widely separated from teachers/presenters because of scarcity of teachers or the inadequacy of space in institutions. Information technology can do much more than providing access: it can help to improve the quality of education and the delivery of quality education and the delivery of quality education. We must admit that some programmes are better than others and so are presenters. Information technology will help everyone to enjoy the best programmes and get the expertise of the best presenters.

John Daniel in his article Öpen and Distance Learning: Unlocking Potential" identifies how education quality may be improved through interactive learning, "a situation where the students activity evokes a response from another human being - a teacher, a tutor or another student - that is specially tailored to that particular student." The fact that the activities are tailored to the individual needs will ensure that each participant/student will be able to work at his or her own pace. For us teachers, in this year even more than before, we will be given the opportunities to develop our skills in the use of tools that will assist us in the delivery of quality education. For those who might not be aware, computer programmes are now being offered in all four JTA Regions.

The year saw an increase in teacher migration, but most of our teachers are heartened by the favourable ruling of the Supreme Court on the Issue of Teacher Separation from their posts.

The Jamaica Teachers' Association also made History by its holding of the first Conference on Educational Administration and Supervision for administrators and teachers from all levels of the Education System. It was an event never to be forgotten and many of our colleagues expressed their pleasure at this achievement.

We were disappointed in the fact that the code of Regulations had not been revised and we are still awaiting the Government decision re the District Boards.

As we welcome our new President, Mrs. Sadie Comrie, the Association is aware that her year will be even more challenging. The Salary issue is still unsettled and we are yet to feel the impact of additional migration. We are cognizant however, that there is no challenge too great for us to meet, no mountain too high for us to climb, if our cause is right and we remain committed to the job - Remembering always that God gives His people strength.

Let us therefore 'Unite and Serve' as we prepare for the year ahead.