Tropical waves set to bring showers as FSC withdrawal and teacher wage talks stir concern

Jamaica is set for unsettled weather this week as the Met Service monitors a trough, a low-level jet stream and two tropical waves expected to affect the island on Monday and Tuesday. The forecast points to cloudy skies, showers, thunderstorms and windy afternoon conditions over the next few days.

Opposition spokesman on finance Julian Robinson is calling on the Finance Minister to explain the transfer of $500 million from the Financial Services Commission to the Government. Robinson said the withdrawal has weakened the FSC’s finances. The commission told the Senate’s Regulations Committee last Thursday that the money came from its reserves. Robinson argued that higher fees could be passed on by insurance companies to consumers through increased premiums for homes and motor vehicles, at a time when households are already facing rising gas and food costs.

The Jamaica Teachers Association is also pressing the Government to move faster on salary discussions. JTA president Mark Malavva said teachers are frustrated by delays in negotiations as inflation continues to erode earnings. He said the union’s latest claim faced strong resistance, including proposals linked to a report that recommended improved treatment for teachers and trainers. Malavva said there were also unresolved items such as credits and remote inducement, and warned that he could no longer ask teachers to show further restraint.

In education, 120 lead teachers have completed a two-day STEAM training workshop in Manchester under a three-year programme aimed at preparing students for the future workplace. The programme, supported by the British Council and other partners, covered artificial intelligence, computational thinking and new teaching methods. Programme manager Kadian Richards Bailey said the model allows trained teachers to return to their schools and share the material with colleagues.

Each of the 120 represented schools is to receive a micro:bit kit with 10 devices, battery packs and USB cables. Organisers said the small programmable computers can work with or without internet access, making them useful in classrooms affected by connectivity problems, including after natural disasters. Petersfield High School lead teacher Everdine Willox said the training gave educators deeper practical knowledge to improve lessons across subject areas.