Scotiabank CEO supports performance pay for teachers

Published: Monday September 8, 2008

William Clarke, outgoing president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Scotiabank Jamaica, wants teachers to be paid based on their performance in the education system.

However, at the same time, Clarke is urging the Government to ensure that teachers are properly compensated without having to put up a fight.

Speaking on Saturday during the ninth annual Scotiabank Jamaica Foundation scholarship awards ceremony, Clarke said the Government has a responsibility to structure the education system so that teachers are paid based on their performance, similar to what obtains in some private insti-tutions.

"Why should a teacher who takes on the responsibility of being teacher and parent, and more often these days, peacemaker, be paid the same as another teacher whose track record is poor in comparison?" Clarke asked.

He added: "Why should teachers have to threaten to protest and disrupt the start of each school year before there is some agreement on their pay package?"

Clarke said teachers should not have to become fund-raisers to meet the cost of providing schools with the necessary resources.

Gov't's Responsibility

"Government has a responsibility, and an obligation, to pay our teachers well, to pay them in return for the many miracles they perform daily in teaching our children and to provide the tools they need to improve and maintain efficiency," Clarke told the gathering.

He stated that the Government has an obligation to pay teachers well and to provide them with the necessary resources.

"Government has a responsibility to invest in education, as this is the road out of poverty to a destination of self-reliance and true independence from political handouts, garrisons and crime," said Clarke.

The CEO also urged parents to recognise and encourage excellence in their children.

"Allow them to be all they can be, respect and support their dreams, whether or not you personally agree with their choice," Clarke told the gathering at the Terra Nova hotel in St Andrew.

New scholarships

Meanwhile, the Scotiabank Jamaica Foundation on Saturday presented 16 new high school students with scholarships, valued at $6.3 million, for their outstan-ding performance in the 2008 Grade Six Achievement Test.

The scholarships will cover tuition fees, textbooks and other educational expenses for the duration of their high school life.

Guest speaker, Reverend Dr Stevenson Samuels, secretary treasurer of the New Testament Church of God, urged the students to be great achievers.

"Bring your best self to school, bring your best self to the world. Don't joke around. Bring your best self," he said.


Source: Jamaica Gleaner Newspapers
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080908/business/business2.html