Protesting public school teachers have been ordered to resume normal duties effective today.

The directive follows days of industrial action by teachers to show their rejection of the government’s offer under the restructured compensation system.

The teachers had threatened to continue to stay off the job again today.

But last evening, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association told the teachers to return to work today even as efforts continue to reach an agreement with government.

The advisory came in the wake of communications from the Education Ministry yesterday.

Earlier, the ministry indicated that the lawfulness of the action taken by teachers was being questioned as there was no official notification, and that guidance was being sought from the Labour Ministry on how to treat with the situation.

JTA President LaSonja Harrison told teachers that in a bid to ensure a return to the bargaining table all educators should return to work effective today.

She pointed out that a negotiation is not usually entertained if certain teacher activity is interpreted as being industrial action.

As such teachers are being encouraged to abide by the instruction given.

Harrison said the JTA remains committed to securing the best compensation package for all members.