Re:  Abduction and Murder of  8 yr old Danielle Rowe

The Jamaica Teachers' Association, while still basking in the success of our children at the 38th JTA Sagicor National Primary School Athletic Championships on June 9 and 10 is equally distraught by the news of the passing of an eight year old student at the Braeton Primary School.

Danielle Rowe, the eight-year-old student was abducted from her school in Portmore, St Catherine and later found with her throat slashed in Vineyard Town, St Andrew on Thursday, June 8.

Re: Non-payment of Salaries.

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association notes the current period of frustration being experienced by our members; we believe this is a blatant disrespect to the nation’s educators. We are aware that some members are in receipt of payments, though questions abound regarding its accuracies, however this is of no comfort to those who have not.

In light of this financial malaise, the Government of Jamaica must make provision to offset interest rates to be accrued on teachers’ loans and other credit facilities.

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association finds it untenable that several categories of teachers across the island have not received their pay to date. While the data pours in for collation to be sent to the Ministry of Education, let it be known that this is highly unacceptable! Teachers who are already underpaid, will now have to find additional sums to offset arrears in which their loans will now fall! The teacher again must bear this burden. Who truly cares?