📚 “A Roach Problem, Not a Rat Trap”: JTA Rejects Crawford’s School Day Extension Proposal Amid Salary Dispute

Jamaica Live News Desk| July 29, 2025

The education debate in Jamaica has reached a boiling point as the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) delivered a sharp rebuke to Opposition Spokesman on Education, Damion Crawford, following his controversial proposal to extend the school day by two hours.

JTA President Dr. Mark Smith has “categorically rejected” Crawford’s plan, describing it as a misguided and overly complicated approach to what he calls a much simpler problem. In a colourful analogy, Smith declared, “We seem obsessed with always trying to create a sophisticated rat trap, when the problem we really have is a roach problem.”

Instead of restructuring school hours, Smith argues that Jamaica’s education woes lie in chronic underfunding, a lack of early-childhood and primary-level resources, and inadequate support for students with special needs.

🔥 Teachers Push Back: “Focus on Funding and Motivation”

The backlash comes in the wake of national outrage on social media and among educators, many of whom believe Crawford’s proposal is out of touch with the realities facing teachers. Dr. Smith insists that any programme to extend school hours should be decided by individual schools—not imposed by policymakers. He pointed out that the energy should be directed toward incentivising teachers and fixing systemic issues, especially in light of the meagre 7.5% salary increase offered by the Government this fiscal year.

“As a teachers’ union, we’re frustrated that 7.5 per cent has been put on the table for our salaries; and we are saying that is unacceptable and we demand more,” said Smith. “We had hoped that the Opposition would be seeking to tackle that issue, which I think would go a far way in helping to motivate teachers and stem the flow of some our best minds leaving our shores.”

💰 Wage Offer Adds Fuel to the Fire

In June, Education Minister Fayval Williams stated that the current fiscal year’s increment structure would result in a 7.5% base salary increase for most public sector workers. However, the offer came under fire as it reportedly includes no increase in basic salaries for the 2025-2026 financial year, raising concerns among educators about stagnant wages amid rising living costs.

📊 Crawford’s Broader Reform Vision

At a media briefing last week, Damion Crawford presented a wide-ranging education reform plan. Alongside the proposed school day extension, he called for:

• Expansion of the PATH lunch programme and an increase in per-student meal allocations
• New behavioural support via a Department of Socialisation
• Greater responsibilities for form teachers, including regular parental engagement
• A cost-plus school funding model, where schools receive a base allocation plus additional support based on need

However, the school-day extension quickly became the lightning rod for criticism. Responding to what he called “misinformation,” Crawford later issued a public statement clarifying that teachers would be compensated for the additional two hours and that participation would be voluntary.

📚 JTA’s Call: Use Regular Hours More Efficiently

Dr. Smith countered that targeted interventions to boost literacy and numeracy don’t require extending the school day. “That sounds like a school-based type of initiative… something worked out between the PTA and administration for a specific context,” he said.

🗣 National Debate Rages On

The clash highlights a growing tension between policymakers seeking to reform Jamaica’s struggling education system and educators on the ground who feel overworked, underpaid, and under-resourced.

As the 2025-2026 school year approaches, all eyes are now on how both the Government and the Opposition will navigate these contentious issues—and whether they’ll find common ground with the teachers who keep the system running.