It is so sad to hear Michael Stewart, the president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), attacking the Government. Recently on the 'Impact' television programme, Cliff Hughes referred to the JTA as fast becoming a dinosaur.

The fact is the JTA can no longer do business the same old way and expect different results. What is bothersome to me, as someone who has taught at different high schools, is the expectation that given the state of the economy, it is considered feasible to bloat the Government's salary bill now?

leading by example

The parliamentarians on the government side have led by example; they have taken a 10 per cent pay cut. It is time for the PNP to do the same and take at least a one per cent pay cut or some type of cut. I am not, however, suggesting the teachers should take a pay cut. The head of the JTA is on a different path. It is my opinion that his intention is to incite teachers to be hostile to the Government.

The real question is, who will end up losing? Our children stand on the receiving end of what might be a very nasty stick because a bloated salary bill will definitely make it harder to provide the opportunities for our little ones and their future growth and intellectual development.

critical point

Our country is at a critical point. It is this generation and the decisions of this administration and, hopefully, submission of our hearts and minds to the good Lord that will determine our future.

Michael Stewart should be careful not to give the impression of being a political hack carrying out the work of some spokesperson. He should guard against that because then the integrity of the JTA would be in question.

Do not play with us Mr Stewart; Jamaicans demand better from a principal and the head of the teachers' union.

I am, etc.,

DAMION HESLOP

damionheslop@yahoo.com