The Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) is calling on Education Minister, Ruel Reid to retract statements made yesterday (Aug 2) regarding fees charged by some schools.

Yesterday, Mr. Reid said some schools have been coming up with creative ways to charge auxiliary fees.

He said the education ministry will take strong action against school boards which disregard the policy relating to contributions to schools, while naming some institutions accused of the act.

In an interview today ( Aug 3) with Irie FM News, General Secretary at the JTA Byron Farquharson says the association views Mr. Reid’s comments, as unfortunate and believes they should be withdrawn.

Meantime, Opposition Spokesman on Education Ronald Thwaites says a minister who defiantly abuses and defames school leaders and volunteers who serve on school boards is not worthy of his office.

He says principals who press hard for contributions are neither corrupt nor extortionate.

He says they are trying to encourage a proper sense of priorities among parents and to raise money to pay inescapable school bills.

Mr. Thwaites adds that if government thinks they should not do so, it should send each school everything needed to balance their budgets and improve their programs.

He says this should be done instead of trying to bully and intimidate them and threatening to come after them.