President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), Mark Malabver, is urging the Government to recognize teacher compensation as a critical pillar of national and economic development, not just an expense on the budget.

Speaking at the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College’s 50th Anniversary Gala, Malabver made a direct connection between underpaid educators and the broader challenges facing Jamaica’s growth.

He argued that investing in teachers is investing in Jamaica’s future, as a strong education system lays the foundation for economic transformation and national stability.

He further criticized, what he described as the Government’s habitual excuse of “fiscal constraints” when addressing issues in the education sector.

He warned that until teachers are properly compensated, the trend of teacher migration among educators will continue, depriving Jamaica of educators needed to drive long-term development.