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OUTGOING PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS TO THE 39TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE JTA AUG. 18-20, 2003, HELD AT THE RENNAISSANCE JAMAICA GRANDE RESORT OCHO RIOS

  • Mr. Chairman
  • President Elect, Mr. Wentworth Gabbidon and Mrs. Gabbidon
  • Immediate Past President, Mr. Paul Adams and Mrs. Adams
  • Hon. Maxine Henry- Wilson, Minister of Education, Youth and Culture
  • Hon. Radcliffe Walters, Custos Rotolorum, St. Ann
  • Past Presidents
  • Colleagues
  • Other distinguished ladies and gentlemen on the platform and in the audience.

This session of the General Conference of the Jamaica Teachers' Association for the year 2002 - 2003 marks the end of what I can describe as very rewarding year. And as I seek to bring the curtains down - signaling the end, I will begin my presentation with a quotation from Philosopher Richard Cecil: "Faith makes all evil good to us and all good better; unbelief makes all good evil and all evil worse; faith laughs at the shaking of the spear; unbelief trembles at the shaking of a leaf; faith finds food in famine and a table in the wilderness; in the greatest danger, faith says, I have a Great God" .

This encapsulates my experience throughout my term of office which I can describe as turbulent.

COMMENDATION
What is interesting to note, ladies and gentlemen, is that amidst all the turbulence during the year, there were persons who assisted me and for that I offer my sincerest gratitude. My family continues to be a force to reckon with in terms of support and for that I offer to them my deepest gratitude.

Mr. Chairman, I was very fortunate to have worked with leaders of different styles. Those who were quiet but effective; those with great courage; those who were compassionate, and to cement it, all those colleagues and officers of the Association who were dedicated to the cause of the of a stronger JTA and a more effective education system.

On that note, I want to publicly thank all my colleagues for the support given to this office; your patience and, by far, your understanding throughout the period.

While I cannot and will not attempt to name all officers and offices, I must make mention of the President Elect (who will soon be succeeding me who was first on call to deputise at different functions. Also to Immediate Past President, Mr. Paul Adams, who was second on call to deputise for the President, as well the chairmen of committees or to give them the political flavour; the members of my cabinet - how can I say thanks? You have gone the extra mile to achieve your mandate given to you at the beginning of the Conference Year. The work of the Parish and District Presidents and their team cannot go without mentioning.

A very special commendation to the chairman of the Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee for carrying through the mammoth task of the salary negotiations with distinction.

Our Contact Teachers who were charged with the responsibility to receive and disseminate information within the schools. The officers of the Association ably led by Dr. Adolph Cameron, who were charged with technical responsibilities and who worked assiduously at and between meetings into late hours and sometimes without sleep. Mrs. Dorothy Raymond would never blink an eye until the salary scales were completed.

There was an article in the Daily Gleaner sometime ago captioned "Special Mention of Kitty Kingston". Tonight, I use that caption to introduce and thank Miss Faithilyn Meeks, my personal assistant. Efficiency is her hallmark in the delivery of her work.

The public relations could not have been better. I owe that much gratitude to that Department - to Miss Charmaine Gooden.

As well, in the field within the four regions are our Regional Officers who sought to assist in implementing the activities for the year within their specified areas, I thank you so much.

Last but by no means least, those colleagues who gave their support and encouragement through personal contacts, you certainly made a difference.

How could I not say a word of gratitude to those members of the public who gave their support through telephone messages and personal contact.

ACTIVITIES
I remember well, that I prefaced some of my comments at General Council and Central Executive meetings when the going got rough in the following way: "The darkest hour of the night is just before dawn". And another, "It is not yet over until it's over", as well the battle is not yet over although indications are that we are very close to the end. And yet another, "The Thread we held on to for so long is now at a breaking point". Ladies and gentlemen, all had their different interpretations then, but together we pulled through.

Mr. Chairman, if we were not careful, we would have been totally consumed by salary negotiations. However, we were able to implement a number of programmes and activities. And for that I am extremely grateful.

Ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you tonight with a sense of excitement and satisfaction having completed a rigorous term of office, but with the feeling that I accomplished most of what I set out to do. At the same time, I feel somewhat disappointed because some of the things that I had planned did not get done. As I stand here tonight, I remember vividly my investiture ceremony and the anxiety I felt. I wanted to get into the office to do what I had to do and then to make my exit. Tonight, I am excited about passing on the baton to my successor who, I am sure, is raging to go.

Colleagues, leadership can be exciting, frustrating, lonely and harassing. You would have to experience it to understand.


Colleagues it was my privilege to have attended several meetings of the Caribbean Union of Teachers in different Caribbean territories, the last one was held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This was the 31st biennial conference of the Union. History will record that I took the winning team to the conference and I was elated to be a part of that team. I will always remember the elections at the Conference where JTA Past President, Byron Farquharson was elected to the position of President of the Caribbean Union of Teachers, the second Jamaican to be elected to that position. The first was the late JTA stalwart Mrs. Edith Dalton-James who was then President of the Jamaica Union of Teachers. I also beamed with pride as our hardworking Secretary General, Dr. Adolph Cameron, was re-appointed to the position of General Secretary of the Caribbean Union of Teachers and my other colleague, Past President Mrs. Judith Spencer-Jarrett returned as Deputy General Secretary of the CUT. She was also elected Chairperson of the Status of Women's Committee for the region. Colleagues, let us applaud our leaders and the Jamaica Teachers' Association a world-class organization that is well respected throughout Jamaica, the Caribbean and in the International Community.

Tonight, I feel pleased to report that I was able to achieve some of the things that I promised in my campaign speech. I never dreamt that I could have survived attending over 98 functions, countless speaking engagements in and out of town. Ask any JTA President and you will learn that 24 hours are just not enough to complete all the tasks, but somehow we have learnt how to work miracles within those hours.

I am happy to report that the investment seminars for young teachers took place and went well. Teachers in the four regions have asked that this programme be repeated next year. It is my recommendation that the Association continues to host these seminars for the next three years.

SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
I had promised during my campaign to work hard during the salary negotiations so that all teachers would receive better salaries, but moreso the classroom teachers who were most times left behind. I can assure you that while the salary negotiations were long and drawn out and certain aspects of it disappointing, at the end of the day most teachers received a reasonable package. I will not attempt to report that it is the best of the best - you be the judge. A full report will be given to you during the course of the conference year.

EDUCATION WEEK
Starting with the National Church Service, the Week was a buzz of activities for the Association. I would love to see the Ministry of Education becoming more involved in the observance of Education Week. It aught to be a collaborative activity between the JTA and the Ministry. I hope that this collaboration will take place for the next Education Week which will be the first week in May 2004.

PARENTING WORKSHOPS
Workshops for parents and Guidance Councellors were held in Portland and St. Mary. They were very well received by parents and teachers.

As I Take my exit, I wish to reiterate my concern for those children whose formal education is terminated at grade nine of All Age Schools. While I understand the Government's intention to provide five years of secondary education to all students entering grade seven September 2003.

The concern is about students who were not able to gain a place in Secondary Schools and that HEART/NTA does not accept students below the age of 19.

I am aware of the ROSE II Project that will cater to some of them; but, along with that, I have a simple suggestion to assist in alleviating the problem.

May I suggest to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture to consult with HEART Trust/NTA to seek to address the issue by asking the Trust to lower the age group to facilitate these unfortunate students and at the same time develop some programmes to suit their particular situation. Maybe within some of these same All Age Schools, areas can be reorganized, refurbished and furnished in order to facilitate further training for these unfortunate youngsters.

As it is said, education is the way to ensure full development of our human resource which is critical for social and economic development. Let us strive harder to ensure the future generations will be fully equipped to contribute to the development of this country.

Let us save our young, let us save Jamaica.

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and gentlemen, as I pass on the baton to the new President I do so with all best wishes to him and to assure him that I will be there to see him through his year.

Mr. Chairman, I leave this thought: "If you don't know where you want to go, any road can get you there and you would not even know when you have arrived. Therefore, I would suggest that you chose your road, ensure your path and you will ensure your safe arrival".

Blessings and Prosperity always as we continue to UNITE and SERVE this august body - The Jamaica Teachers' Association.


Sadie Comrie (Mrs.)