The Education Ministry has assured that there is no issue with the payment of graduate allowances to public school teachers.

This follows a warning from the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) of potential industrial action due to delays in receiving the allowance.

In response to inquiries from IRIE FM News, the Ministry confirmed that all allowances will be paid by the end of the week.

It did note that some issues are being resolved with the Finance Ministry, but all allowances are being processed in the meantime.

The JTA had referred to an agreement for salaries covering the 2022-2025 period, which stated that the graduate allowance would be paid starting April 1, 2024 at a rate of one increment for a master’s degree and one for a doctorate to be paid between the 5th and 6th points on the applicable scale.

Before the Ministry’s response, JTA President Dr. Mark Smith criticized the removal of the allowance, calling it objectionable and not in good faith.

Dr. Smith had called for the immediate and absolute return to the agreed payment.