Better deal for pre-school teachers

THE EDITOR: Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Patrick Manning said in his budget speech that emphasis would be placed on pre-school education.  This is a move in the right direction since research has shown that early childhood education is crucial in preparing a child for formal learning and academic achievement and as such the government is right in trying to place more emphasis on educating pre-school children. In order for the early childhood programme to be successful, a pre-school teacher must be given the same remuneration package as a teacher 1. 

Many early childhood teachers are in possession of five CXC subjects at the General level as well as two-year teacher-training certificate from either Oxford University of the University of the West Indies (UWI), yet they are paid less than half the salary of primary school teacher. Many of these trained pre-school teachers are trying to get into the primary school system because of the low salaries they receive.  I suggest that the Ministry of Education address this issue with some degree or urgency in order to encourage these teachers to remain in the early childhood programme.

HARRACK BALRAMSINGH
 Chairman, Education Board
La Romaine Pre-School
La Romaine