Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon says everything in the Jamaica Teaching Council, JTC Bill was discussed by a Joint Select Committee of Parliament before being approved by the Senate.

After 21 years of deliberation the bill aimed at regulating the teaching profession was approved by the Senate last Friday with 38 amendments.

Teachers who are not registered will have 2 years to do so when the JTC Bill is enacted. 

However, the Opposition People’s National Party, PNP has taken issue with the bill, noting that it is being rushed and will present a challenge to educators.

At a press conference yesterday, Opposition Spokesman on Education Damion Crawford said  the bill could drive away educators from the country.

Responding to questions about the Opposition’s concerns during this morning’s Post Cabinet Press Briefing, Dr. Morris Dixon said prior to the Senate’s approval, there was widespread consultation on the bill.

She explained that over the last 2 years, a Joint Select Committee of Parliament had 45 televised  meetings to examine the bill.

She stressed that Opposition members were a part of those discussions.