1. INTRODUCTION
Cordial welcome is today extended to all members of Central Executive. First I need to say that the writing of the report was thrust upon me by the absence of our Secretary General because of illness. Let me hasten to say he is much improved and may be with us at this meeting or in a very short time.

At Council in November, we reported that our President Elect, Michael Clarke, was in hospital. We wished for him then a speedy recovery. It is with joyful and thankful hearts that we welcome him back in the fold with us. To God be the glory and we know that our President Elect, with God’s help, will continue to mend so that he will be able to take up the mantle in August.

As an Association, we have been challenged over this last month in many ways. Perhaps, most outstanding of these challenges was the Memorandum of Understanding. Congratulations to the President for the able way in which he managed the Press. He was strong and clear, live and direct and he stood firm on his principles.

2. SALARY NEGOTIATIONS
· Salary Claim for 2004 – 2006
A 19-point claim for the period April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2006 was submitted in January. A Brief addressing all the items of claim is being prepared. No correspondence has yet been received from the Ministry of Finance and Planning not the Permanent Salaries Review Board (PSRB).

· Unfinished Items
A meeting was convened with representatives of the Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee at the Ministry of Finance and Planning on February 2, 2004 to discuss the outstanding items from the 2002 – 2004 claim. These include:

a. Vacation Leave entitlement for new entrants;

b. Refund of 50% tuition fees to teachers who undertake studies while in service;

c. Shift Allowance for Principals of Community Colleges

d. Housing Allowance for Principals of Community Colleges

With regards to these, the Ministry’s position was as follows:

a. Vacation Leave would be four months after eight years and four months after six years for Teachers and Principals respectively.

b. There is general agreement on the refund but the Ministry is to undertake its research of tuition fees charged to determine the upper limit.

c. There is general agreement that a shift premium is to be paid but the Association is insisting on pensionability.

d. The allowance was rolled into basic salary at the implementation of Parity in 2001.

e. A letter has been received from the Ministry of Finance which shows clearly that the matter of parity in the Tertiary Institution has been breached. According to the letter, at the time of settlement, the Principal of CASE was living in a rent-free cottage. He began paying rental for the cottage seven months after the settlement. The Ministry of Finance is to be written to, pointing out the breach of parity and demanding that the necessary adjustment be made.

· Recovery of Overpayment
The Attorney, Mrs. Lilieth Deacon, has advised that, on reflection, she did not think it was appropriate to meet with or write to the Solicitor General since she had not previously made contact with his office.

The Secretary General is also advising that he has still not received the letter from Mrs. Bowie regarding the legality of recovery of funds.

The matter is still being pursued by the JTA.

· Meeting with National Housing Trust
The committee also met with officers of the NHT on February 3, 2004 to address item 12 (ii) of the 2002 – 2004 claim. This claim had requested that teachers pay 50% of deposit on units and lots. However, this request was not entertained.

Officers of the Trust indicated that the Trust would enter into joint venture relationship with the Association where the latter sought to develop lands for housing for teachers. This is to be further explored.

The Trust has given the undertaking, however, that teachers would get priority treatment in respect of units built on lands acquired from the former JTA Housing (in receivership).

· Claims for Instructors of HEART Trust/NTA
Questionnaires in respect of these claims are being processed ahead of a planned meeting with delegates on March 5.

3. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU)
Nineteen trade unions signed the historic Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Jamaica and the Joint Trade Union Congress on Monday, February 16, 2004. The Jamaica Teachers’ Association was one of the two trade unions which did not sign. The decision was based on the principle enunciated by our President from the beginning of the discussions, namely, that based on the structure of the JTA, he could not sign any agreement without first discussing the matter with his constituents and acting on their mandate.

In order to apprise teachers of the content of the Memorandum of Understanding, meetings were held across the island beginning on Friday at the half-yearly meetings for Kingston and St. Andrew and culminating on Monday, February 23 in the other parishes. Central Executive may be called on today to make a decision on the way forward regarding the Memorandum of Understanding.

4. LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE OF JAMAICA
The matter of the degree purportedly granted by the Liberal Arts College grows more dismal each time the matter is discussed. Based on a letter received from the University Council of Jamaica, no member of the batch just graduating has the number of upper-level credits to allow him to get the degree accredited and the Evaluation of Qualifications Committee (EQC) has so informed the Ministry. At the last meeting at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, a decision was taken that the teachers concerned should be so informed.

The Association is very uneasy about this development, especially since the teachers will not be given any information about what additional courses they need pursue in order to qualify.

5. STUDY CIRCLE WORKSHOP ON H.I.V./A.I.D.S EDUCATION
Arising out of the workshop held in Guyana that was attended by Senior Secretary Dorothy Raymond on HIV/AIDS, an initial workshop will be held at the Wyndham Rose Hall Hotel on March 18, 2004. The initial participants will be members of the parish Study Circle Co-ordinating Committee who are identified to be the first of the trainers to participate in the union’s drive to help fight the deadly disease. This workshop is being held at a time when the ILO, Education International and other international agencies are co-operating to find strategies to help stem the rapid spread of the disease. The Caribbean now ranks just after Sub Sahara Africa and Asia.

The global HIV/AIDS epidemic killed 3,000,000 people, and an estimated 5,000,000 acquired the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) during 2003, brining to 40,000,000 the number of people living with the virus around the world. In Latin America and the Caribbean, National HIV prevalence has reached or exceeded 1% in 12 countries, all of them in the Caribbean Basin.

Central Executive is hereby invited to give your support to this fight which we must win. The time is now.

6. COMPUTER TRAINING PROGRAMME
The new phase of the basic programme began on February 24, 2004 with registration as follows:

Kingston
Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 20 persons
Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 19 “

Montego Bay
Mondays/Wednesdays 10 “

Port Maria
Mondays/Wednesdays 13 persons

Mandeville
Saturdays 14 “

An advanced course began on February 23. Classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Nineteen persons have so far registered.

7. WORKSHOP ON TEST CONSTRUCTION AND MEASUREMENT
Eighty-three participants attended a workshop on Test Construction and Measurement at the JTA Institute for Professional Development and Research on February 19, 2004.

From all reports, the test was informative, well needed and well received.

8. COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The following committees met over the period:
· Salaries and Conditions of Service
· Membership
· Credentials
· Tertiary
· International Relations
· CUT Sports
· National Sports
· Early Childhood Planning
· Public Relations
· Professional Advancement
· Awards
· 40th Anniversary Planning

9. MEMBERSHIP
The incentive scheme proposed by the Membership Committee is now in effect. At the meeting of General Council, cheques will be available for persons who have successfully carried through the recruitment. The decision has been taken to pay once per term. New application forms are to be prepared to reflect “recruiter” in addition to “witness” which the forms now carry.

Three hundred and four persons have been recruited up to the end of January with a calculated incentive of $79,641.18.

10. PRESIDENT ELECT ELECTIONS
The Credentials Committee held its meeting on the 14th of February. Six of the candidates nominated attended the meeting and were advised of the guidelines for President Elect. These were:

· Cecelia Francis
· Patricia Brown
· Claude Rattray
· David Brown
· Hopeton Henry
· Ruel Reid

Five of the candidates have indicated their desire to run this year. Information for brochures should be in by today and brochures should be ready for Council at the end of March.

11. AWARDS
The Awards Committee had two meetings during the month and the application/nomination forms for all the Awards were looked at.

Over the years, the lack of adequate information on the forms has been noted and these meetings were held in an attempt to improve the forms. Members of Central Executive are to ensure that the new forms are used for the nominations.

· Roll of Honour
The Roll of Honour nomination form has a suggested addition in the preamble. Members of Central Executive have copies of the form with the insert underlined.

· Prime Minister’s Award
The President, Secretary General and Senior Secretary Administration and Communication attended a meeting at the Chancery to discuss the Award. The format of the medal has been selected and has been sent by the Chancery to England to ascertain the cost of minting the medal. The matter of the funding has been referred to the Prime Minister. His response is being awaited. The recommendation is that the first award be made during the 40th Anniversary year and that the number of Awards for this year be 40.

Criteria for the Award
· Length of service – 15 years (minimum)
· Quality involvement in education
· Community involvement
· Innovations and creativity

It is hoped that the names will be announced during Education Week 2004 and that a function be held later in the year.

The number of awards in future years will be determined by the Selection Committee.

12. 40TH ANNIVERSARY
Activities are now in the advanced stage of planning for the 40th anniversary celebrations.

· Church Service
This will be held at the Kingston Parish Church on April 4, 2004 beginning at 3:00 p.m. The preacher is the Suffragin Bishop of Montego Bay, Dr. R. Gregory. The area for parking and security have been identified. The service promises to be a huge success.

· Supplement
Articles are now being collected for the Supplement – Gleaner, Sunday 4, 2004 and letters have been sent to advertisers.

· Grand Exhibition
The exhibition will start at conference with a photographic display of JTA’s 40 years of existence. The grand finale will be at the Karram Speid Hall in March 2005.

· Conference 2004
Conference 2004 will be for four days and three nights. Among the highlights will be the Anniversary Banquet and Ball. The Band will be Fab Five. Members of Central Executive must be there!

13. CONFERENCE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Registration to the conference has been slow but we know it will be a success. Letters have been sent out to all Members of Parliament asking them to sponsor at least two basic school teachers from their constituency. Enquiry was received from one Member of Parliament and a letter from another indicating that he would not be able to assist. Follow up activities are being pursued.

Parish No. Registered Kingston 24 St. Andrew 15
St. Thomas 6
Portland 0
St. Mary 8
St. Ann 4
St. James 11

Parish No. Registered
Trelawny 0
Hanover 7
Westmoreland 0
St. Elizabeth 0
Manchester 16
Clarendon 10
St. Catherine 8

Summary by Region
South East - 53 South Central - 26
West - 8 North East - 12

Other Registrations are:
Cayman Islands - 13
Bermuda - 1

A total of 48 persons have made deposits

Central Executive members are asked to make every effort to be there.

14. C.U.T. SPORTS
Preparation is in high gear for the Meet. The main problem is sponsorship. A letter was received from Lasco indicating that firm’s inability to assist. A tag drive is currently on the way. Tags and tins have been distributed and all are invited to ensure that this be a success. The chairman may wish to give any additional information.

15. TEACHERS’ SPORTS
This took place at the G. C. Foster College on Thursday, February 26, 2004.

16. MEETING WITH THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, YOUTH & CULTURE
Among the items discussed were:
· Shift Premium/Allowance for Principals in Community Colleges
· Performance Evaluation
· Realignment of Teachers’ Salary with Civil Service
· Refund of Cess
· Overpayment of Specialist Teachers
· Part-time Rates for Sixth Form Teachers
· Liberal Arts College
· Tardiness in Confirming Appointment of Principals

17. PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL
Two meetings have been held with the Consultant who is reviewing the Appraisal Instrument. A third meeting is planned for March 5 at 8:30 a.m. The instrument is scheduled to be completed by the end of this month and to be piloted beginning March 2004. The Association has indicated its reason why March would not be the ideal time to start, but the committee has decided to use this period as they say the sample of schools will be small and would not be affected significantly by the activities taking place in March.

18. UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES COMMEMORATION FUNCTION TO HONOUR PROFESSOR REX NETTLEFORD
The Presidents and two other members of the Administrative Staff attended a function which was held at the University in honour of Professor Rex Nettleford.

19. SECRETARIAT
Secretary General, Dr. Adolph Cameron, has been on sick leave since Wednesday, February 4, 2004. We wish for him a speedy recovery.

Mrs. Charmaine Gooden-Monteith was on sick leave from February 19 – 24, 2004.

The JTA family has been strengthened by a new member of the Accounting staff, Mr. Patrick Brown. Mr. Brown joined the staff on February 10, 2004. He replaces Miss Ulandae Graham who resigned. We wish for Mr. Brown a long and productive stay with the Association.

Mrs. Pauline Gray exchanged marital vows with Mr. Sydney Wellington on February 14, 2004. We wish for the Wellingtons every success in their marriage.

20. CONCLUSION
Robert F. Kennedy said, “Moral courage is more rare than bravery in battle or great intelligence”. May the JTA continue to show moral courage in all its endeavours. In doing this, we cannot fail to achieve the greatest good.

Long live the JTA!!!

Prepared by: Dorothy Raymond (Mrs.)
Senior Secretary, Administration & Communication