The controversial Teaching Council Bill is reportedly in the final stages of review and should be placed before parliament, once completed.
Education Minister Ruel Reid gave an update on the matter while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony for the Association of Principals and Vice Principals 26th Annual Conference, at the Jewel Grand Resort in Montego Bay, St. James yesterday (Oct 14).
Teachers, while welcoming the establishment of a regulatory council, have expressed concerns with some aspects of the bill, including excessive fines and criminalizing breaches.
Yesterday, Mr. Reid stressed that the Jamaica Teaching Council Bill will help to further streamline and transform the education system.
The Jamaica Teaching Council Bill, when passed into law, will among other things, require teachers to be in possession of a license and will serve as the system that will deregister or suspend teachers who have not met the established standards.
It will also mandate the compulsory registration of teachers as well as to provide for the compulsory registration and licensing of trained teachers.
Mr. Reid further encouraged the nations’ principals to be prepared for the new Teaching Council Bill as it has far reaching implications for persons who choose to operate contrary to its guidelines.