The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) is demanding that the Education Ministry demonstrates tangible support for educators’ plight during wage negotiations with the Finance Ministry.

JTA President Mark Malabver made the demand at the Association’s 61st Annual Conference Investiture Ceremony last night.

  He said it is time for the Ministry to behave as if it truly values teachers.  

Meanwhile, Mr. Malabver said he cannot guarantee normalcy in the sector as teachers are increasingly agitated.

He maintained that a 0% wage offer by the Finance Ministry will not be accepted.

However, he noted that he will remain fierce in his representation of teachers, regardless of which political party wins the September 3 General Election.

JTA representatives walked out of wage negotiations with the Finance Ministry last Friday after they failed to get a new offer.

The JTA then gave that Ministry until midnight Sunday to put forward a better offer, failing which it said it reserved the right to activate its machinery to respond.

It is understood that the Ministry has not yet responded to the JTA’s ultimatum.