CORAL SPRING, Trelawny — Immediate past lresident of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Mark Malabver has mounted a spirited defence of his year in office, declaring that he had entered the presidency “like a true gladiator” and never backed down when the welfare, dignity, and interests of Jamaica’s teachers and students were at stake.

Addressing the JTA’s 62nd Annual General Conference at Ocean Coral Spring Hotel in Trelawny Monday night, Malabver said his campaign had been built around “bold and audacious leadership”, with a focus on reforming the education system and strengthening advocacy on behalf of teachers.

But he acknowledged that last October’s Hurricane Melissa had forced him to pivot.