NOW: JTA president Owen Speid on @MorningAgenda on @Power106fmJa. He says #KarlSamuda's claim that 31,000 students have not been able to connect for online classes is seemingly "out of whack". It's way too low, Speid says. Insists around 200,000 students are being left behind.
"It's mass confusion," says Speid, again calling for a suspension of the online/distant leaving programme amid the #COVIDー19 pandemic.
Principal's association president Linvern Wright, says there is a clear need for training for teachers to use the online platforms. "Some teachers are just sending work," said Wright. He tells @MorningAgenda that many students require contact hours.
Speid: The online learning system has left some teachers financially burdened because of internet costs to deliver classes. Wants the government to commit resources to the teachers to defray cost. Doesn't want the money to go through schools, saying it may be reach teachers late.
Speid urges the government to be expeditious in seeking to get back home all stranded Jamaican ship workers and teachers now overseas. He tells @MorningAgenda that scores of teachers who went on vacation are among those unable to return home because of the #COVID restrictions.
