Jamaican Educators Call for Greater Support on World Teachers’ Day

In this commentary, Wayne Campbell argues that World Teachers’ Day should spur action on low pay, poor conditions, weak pensions, and declining respect for teachers, all of which are worsening shortages and undermining education. He also says improving teacher status requires gender justice, stronger professional autonomy, and more policy support, especially as AI, climate change, and other pressures grow.

In this World Teachers’ Day commentary, Opposition education spokesman Damion Crawford says Jamaica must “stand with” teachers by sharing responsibility for children’s learning, discipline and well-being. He argues that teachers are vital to developing the wisdom, vision and character the country needs, and calls for better pay, resources, safety and professional respect.

In this opinion piece, lecturer and educator Leroy Fearon Jr. reflects on sharing a birthday with World Teachers’ Day and says teaching is his lifelong calling. He argues that Jamaica and the wider region must do more than praise teachers once a year by investing in training, resources, autonomy and respect for the profession.

Christopher Dawes, who grew up in State care from age 14, has graduated from Shortwood Teachers’ College and is now teaching at a secondary school in St Andrew. He says the discipline and support he received at Mount Olivet Boys’ Home helped turn hardship into purpose, and he wants young people in care to know their circumstances do not define their future.