JTA head urges research-driven school reform amid violence and teacher migration

Jamaica Teachers’ Association President Mark Malabver has urged a stronger reliance on research, new ideas, data-led policymaking and decisive action to improve Jamaica’s education system. Addressing a recent JTA meeting in Manchester, Malabver said persistent challenges, including violence and the movement of teachers overseas, require government-led transformation.

He said lasting change must be guided by researched information rather than personal views. Malabver pointed to Finland and Singapore, saying their gains came from major spending on education research, teacher development and well-planned execution.