Transcript JTA – ITS ORIGIN, OBJECTIVES
STRUCTURES AND SERVICES OFFERED TO TEACHERS
The country.
JTA organization educational is a dedicated democratic to the professional, financial and social advancement of its members and the promotion of the highest standards for the
To be the regional benchmark for teacher membership organizations; setting standards of excellence in service delivery and committed to national development through education.
The JTA was founded on April 2, 1964.
The instruments governing membership and procedures of the body were examined and ratified at the inaugural conference held on April 2, 1964.
The resolutions constituting the Association were passed at a special conference at Excelsior High School on December 14, 1963.
The Association was formed from the merger of five teachers’ associations that existed up to April 2, 1964.
Jamaica Association Union of of Teachers Headmasters (JUT), and Headmistresses (H and Mistresses (A 2 2 M M 2 ) 2 ), the Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions (ATTS) and the Association of Assistant Masters
These five associations pursued parallel and separate objectives until the late 1950s when proposal to unify began to take shape.
Major factors that gave impetus to the unification of the teachers’ unions into the Jamaica Teachers’ Association.
The major factors included: Jamaica’s attainment of self government in 1957.
The introduction of the free place system The draft bill to regulate the education system.
Consequently, the executives of the five groups formed the Joint Executives of Teachers’ Associations (JETA).
The JETA was mandated to make representation on matters related to education and teachers.
In pursuance of this, the group decided to unify into a single teachers’ organization.
To promote the educational interests of the country and keep the public informed concerning important educational matters.
To promote and maintain unity in the teaching profession and safeguard the interests of its matters.
To help in the maintaining of high ethical standards among all teachers.
To make representation on matters on common interests and concern to teachers at all levels.
To represent to the Ministry of Education the teachers’ ideas and experience on educational issues.
To establish relationships with Teachers’ Organizations throughout the world.
The JTA is administered by a group of elected officers and professional staff.
The elected group is headed by the Presidents, i.e. President, President-Elect and Immediate Past President.
The other elected officials represent Parish and District Associations.
THE SECRETARIAT SENIOR SECRETARY, MEMBER SERVICES SECRETARY GENERAL SECRETARY BUSINESS SERVICES SENIOR SECRETARY ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE
The District Association (DA) is the level at which all teachers have the opportunity to participate in policy formation and programmes of the Association.
There are seventy-six District Associations and fourteen Parish Associations.
The Annual Conference of delegates determine the policies of the Association.
The General Council made up of the Parish and District Associations meets quarterly and acts on the behalf of the conference.
The Central Executive meets monthly and monitors the implementation of policies and programmes.
The professional staff is headed by the Secretary General who directs the daily functions, administrations of the Association.
The Secretary General is supported by Secretaries responsible for specific areas of the Association’s work.
These are: Administration and Finance Member Services Business Services Professional Services
There are also four Regional Offices.
These are located in Mandeville, Port Maria, Montego Bay and at the Head Office in Kingston.
JTA Liaison Officer The Head Office is located at 97B Church Street.
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS Negotiates with Government salaries and fringe benefits.
for Keeps under scrutiny the operations of the Education Laws and the regulations derived from them as these relate to the conditions of service of teachers.
Seeks to improve the conditions under which teachers work.
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS cont’d.
Represents Education.
concerns of teachers to the Ministry of Provide advice to teachers to personal and professional matters.
ECONOMIC SERVICES Investment Schemes managed by the JTA Allied Groups Motor Vehicle Insurance Airline booking Discount from major business enterprises Overseas and local tours Business Advice and Marketing Services
Scholarships, notably the A. Wesley Powell Memorial Scholarship for Teachers.
Co-ordinates scholarships for the Private Sector.
Victoria Mutual Building Society T.I.P. Friendly Society Kingston Bookshop
Awards to Teachers Roll of Honour W.B.C. (Ben) Hawthorne Edith Dalton-James R.C. Tavares Golden Torch Prime Minister’s
Part-time Professional Certificate in Education Administration and Supervision.
New Teachers’ Seminars Leadership Seminars Pre Retirement Seminars Computer Course
The JTA Co-operative Credit Union created for JTA members as a source of credit at a reasonable rate of interest for productive and provident purposes.
Its head office is at 97A Church Street, telephone: 922-6841, 922-2009, 922-2011.
The JPH is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JTA.
The company publishes textbooks for readers at primary, secondary and tertiary levels that regional in content and focus.
Its head office is at 97B Church Street, Kingston.
The Jamaica Association functions both as a Trade Union and a Professional Organization.
Teachers’
1.
negotiates improved salaries and fringe benefits for its members; 2.
negotiates conditions of service, e.g.
working environment, job security, insurance and vacation; 3.
guarantees victimization; freedom from
4.
provides support on professional, personal and other matters to teachers; 5.
provides membership education; 6.
establish links with international organizations to form powerful lobby group.
1.
promote the educational interests of the country and keep the public informed concerning important educational matters; 2.
promote and maintain unity in the teaching profession and safeguard the interest of its members
3.
help in professional maintain teachers; high standards ethical among and all 4.
make representations on matters of common interest and concern to teachers at all levels; 5.
represent to the Ministry of Education the teachers and experience on educational issues; 6.
establish relationships with teachers’ unions throughout the world.
Professional Services Provides scholarships Conducts Pre-retirement Seminars Offers Professional Relations Services Provides a teacher resource centre Hosts conferences Hosts Contact Teachers’ Seminars Co-ordinates scholarships for the Private Sector
Professional services cont’d.
Provides awards to teachers Promotes in-service education through seminars, workshops and short courses Hosts part-time certificate courses in Education Administration and Supervision Hosts New Teachers’ Seminars Hosts Leadership Seminars
The JTA provides: Overseas and local tours Business Advice and Counselling Marketing Services Airline Booking Discount from major business enterprises and promotes investments schemes
a.
The Code of Ethics and programmes offered by b.
The Professional Services Unit
The Constitution of the JTA stipulates the among the objectives of the Association is the promotion of high professional, objective.
ethical and moral standards among teachers. The Cod of Ethics is one of the ways by which the Association seeks to accomplish this
The Code of Ethics came into effect in 1977 after intensive and extensive discussion of the draft circulated to schools, Parish and District Associations.
It was amended by Annual conference in 1992.
It is a tool to assist teachers in evaluating their behaviour and conduct.
The Preamble states that: “The teacher recognizes the magnitude of the responsibility inherent in the teaching process. The necessity to earn the respect and confidence of one’s colleagues, students, parents and the members of the community.”
Provides the incentive to attain and maintain the highest possible degree of ethical conduct.
The Code of Ethics sets standards of conduct for teachers in Jamaica.
‘Teacher’ refers to both teachers and principals .
It speaks to five (5) sets of Principles .
1.
In relation to students 2.
3.
In relation to colleagues In relation to the Association 4.
5.
In relation to employers General
The Code of Ethics applies to all members investigated of by the Association.
Complaint of violation of the principles made to the Association by any person or group may be regarded as a charge of unprofessional conduct and shall be the Association through the proper channels.
The JTA’s impact on the profession and professionalism can be viewed through its achievements over the years.
Some programmes already completed: Printing of : * Study Circle Basic Material * Study Circle 2 nd level materials * Study Circle – Papers on special issues, e.g. HIV/AIDS, Pensions, Corporal Punishment in Schools, etc.
* JTA Code of Ethics
* The Professional Organization Representing Teachers in Jamaica * Consultation on Literacy in Primary Schools * Hosting of Conferences on - Primary Education - Secondary Education - Educational Management and Supervision - Managing Classroom Behaviour, 21 st Century Challenges, Approaches and Solutions - Strategies for Success – Reaching Every Learner - Middle Managers ( Vice Principals/Senior Teachers)
* Volumes of ‘The Clarion’ – Professional magazine of the JTA.
* Updated Discount List (2009 – 2010) * Early Childhood Conference supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat.
* Summer courses for Principals/Vice Principals/Senior Teachers in collaboration with the Canadian Teachers’ Federation
* North American and Caribbean Regional Conference.
* Interactive Personality Awareness Workshop * Mediation Training (1988 – first institution to be involved in Conflict Resolution and Mediation through islandwide workshops) * Workshop on Crisis Management.
Production of JTA Reporter Production of JTA Bulletin Production of Trail Blazer series Special Conference each year focusing on current issues Teachers’ Time Programme (done on a weekly basis) Helen Stills Professional Development Da y
New Teachers’ development).
Seminars (serve as recruitment, introduction and professional Contact Teachers’ Seminars Computer Training Programmes Hosting of teachers in HIV/AIDS Prevention.
Leadership Training through the League for the Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers (LECT) which takes place in Britain.
Aspects of Protocol and Events Planning The Association also collaborates in the hosting of the EduVision Conference Professional Development conferences hosted by: - Education International - American Federation of Teachers
The JTA has over the years been associated with International and Regional organizations including the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT), the World Confederation Teachers, National Education Association, of Organizations of the Teaching Profession (now renamed EI formed in 1992 from a merger of WCOTP and International Free Teachers’ Union), the National Union of
Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) and the Swedish Teachers’ Union Lararforbundet).
The JTA has a proud record of influencing governments and private sector policies .
The Association continues to respond to the needs of the teachers through various media. Recommendations from the conferences are shared with the Ministry of Education for implementation.
The Consultation on Literacy in Primary Schools (November 1999) Safety and Security in Schools (2003) The Ocho Rios Declaration (from the Early Childhood Conference) The Ocho Rios Communiqué (from the North American and Caribbean Regional Conference)
These activities are all done in an effort to heighten the awareness of teachers of their responsibilities to the profession, their need to be active participants and display high levels of professionalism.
Maintain Contact with peers Know key players in Association ( Officers, Admin Staff etc) Join Committees Read and apply information gleaned Be involved in your District and Parish Associations Participate in as many activities as possible
The Contact Teacher wins respect when he/she has information , knows the structure and shares the information on the Professional Programmes and Services of the JTA with her members The Contact Teacher wins respect when he/she is EFFECTIVE and EFFICIENT
Being a Successful , Efficient and Effective Contact Teacher means empowering others through strong effective and active leadership.
Lets go for it
THANKS FOR BEING HERE …..THANKS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION NOW!...... ITS UP TO YOU …… God Bless you as we continue to unite and Serve.