RETROSPECT

The year 2003-2004 was a very historic and significant year on many fronts. It was the year when the J.T.A. signed the Memorandum of Understanding (M.o.U) between the JCTU and the Government to freeze public sector salaries, the launching of activities to mark the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Association and the first staging of the Caribbean Union of Teachers’ Students’ Track and Field Championships at the National Stadium. It is little wonder the outgoing President Wentworth Gabbidon described his year in office as a “successful one”. He was quick to point out, however, that the year was very challenging. The J.T.A. continued to have a good public image as the President led the Association through some difficult periods.

President Gabbidon cited the following as the high points of the year:

• The hosting of the Conference on Early Childhood Development

• The 40th Anniversary Church Service

• The hosting the Caribbean Union of Teachers’Track and Field Championships.

• The Helen Stills Professional Development Day

• The Golden Torch Award Ceremony

• The Roll of Honour Awards Function

The President is satisfied that many of the targets that he had set were achieved.

He described the low points as the signing of the MOU between the JCTU and Government to freeze salaries until 2006, the increase in indiscipline and violence in schools which resulted in students being killed and teachers being assaulted and the recovery of overpayment from the salaries of some teachers. He emphasized that if the overpayment of teachers is not settled by conference, then he supports the Association’s decision to take full course of action that will ensure that the teachers are refunded the money recovered from them.

The President also highlighted the opportunity he had to attend the 15th Commonwealth Ministers of Education Meeting in Edinburg, Scotland where the issue of Teacher migration was high on the agenda. He also attended the Caribbean Union of Teachers’ Executive Meeting in the British Virgin Islands and the North America and Caribbean Regional Conference in Nevis where issues concerned with the link between teacher conditions of service and the delivery of quality education were discussed. The President also headed the JTA’s delegation to the fourth World Congress of Education International held in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

He was particularly elated to witness, at the Congress, the presentation of the EL Albert Shanker Award for outstanding contribution to education to Professor Errol Miller. The President beamed with pride as he related how proud his Caribbean colleagues felt at the eloquence with which Professor Miller spoke after he received the Award.

President Gabbidon had high praises for the Private Sector companies, individuals and state agencies that partnered with the J.T.A. to sponsor the various activities spearheaded by the Association. He hopes that the partnerships forged will last for a long time. Turning to the theme of the Conference and of the 40th Anniversary celebrations, the outgoing President said that the Association was going through a period of renewal and that the Strategic Plan will help to shape the future of the Association.