JIS: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) Bill is far advanced and will be taken to Cabinet shortly for its consideration.

 

The Bill seeks to establish a governing body for the teaching profession and a licensing and registration regime for all government-paid teachers. The licensing regime is expected to take effect when the Bill is passed.

 

Senator Reid said Cabinet’s deliberations on the Bill is being awaited before certain “consequential amendments”, related to the Education Act which it will complement, are concluded.

 

He was responding to questions during a stakeholder consultation for school administrators in Regions One and Two, at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium, Jamaica College, St. Andrew, on Tuesday (November 27).

 

Senator Reid said areas under the Act being considered for review include matters related to student discipline and sanctions for infractions.

 

“So I’m expecting the JTC Bill will go through before March and then afterwards, we can see if we can get the Act and Regulations equally amended,” he added.

 

The Government’s move to implement a regime for the licensing and registration of teachers is aimed at ensuring greater levels of accountability and professionalism.

 

The Jamaica Teaching Council was established in 2008 as a part of the Education Transformation Strategy to improve the quality and coverage of education.

 

The Council’s mandate is focused on achieving its ultimate goal of repositioning teaching as the profession of choice.

 

CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid.