Big ups to Thwaites for taking

[Lazie]

on the teachers regarding their VERY generous vacation time etc. Bout time.

[Mosiah]

What obtains elsewhere, like in the USA?

[Lazie]

What obtains elsewhere, like in the USA?

First thing, other countries can afford it. Teacher in the USA don't get paid vacation and they only get paid for 10 months.

[Assasin]

In the US it is very liberal with teachers. I know colleges they can take up to a year off at the college level and get paid for research or upgrading skills after a certain amount of years off. After 5 years professors go up for tenure and if they get it then almost impossible to get them out and vacation is very liberal.

For other schools it depends on the school district but after a few years they can have a good amount of time off and they have subs. Teaching is not the very best paying job in many places but they get a decent amount of time off in the states.

[Assasin]

But they advertise it as yearly salary, so it doesn't make a difference really.

[Lazie]

But they advertise it as yearly salary, so it doesn't make a difference really.

Every teacher I know get paid for ONLY 10 months. Furthermore even if teachers get paid for '13' months in a year in the USA, they are in a position to do so .... Jamaica is not.

[Assasin]

not debating that. What I am saying is they advertise it as yearly salary, so when they say 40 thousand a year, it doesn't matter if it paid in 10 months or a year.

I know you know about the generous vacation packages for teachers at the college level

[Bricktop]

Only problem I have is why would the government negotiate an agreement that is unsustainable in the first place?

[Islandman]

Well because that is what governments do. You sound surprised?

[Assasin]

In GA the teachers had to give back "Furlow days" when the budget get tight. They also have to endure layoffs and budget cuts. Incidentally I was a part of the layoff as a support staff for a school district.

That is why I was saying in 09 that the teachers and public servants, opposition should have been more understanding from then and I know the PNP was going to have to change course while in office.

[Mosiah]

So we agree we cannot afford it. Good!

And we are also in agreement that schools will not encourage gay lifestyles or issue condoms. Right?

Sorry, that should be agreeance.

[Assasin]

Long time me say we can't afford it.

How you just throw the second one at left field. I don't know that school encourage gay lifestyle. However adult personal lifestyles shouldn't be in school unless in a very professional way.

Not so sure about not giving condomns in schools. What I know is these teenagers must have access to condomns if they want it, if not in schools somewhere that is easily accessed. We can't ignore that some nuff a these kids are very sexually active at very young age. We have too many 15 year old mothers and fathers. Some serious disccussion needed on this by parents/teachers/ and society as a whole.

[Mosiah]

Was trying to get a "Gwaan Thwaites!" from y'all ut it guess it will have to wait.

Well, I agree 100% with the minister. Maybe Holness said it best - schools impart knowledge, and are not dispensaries. (paraphrased)

[Assasin]

yes but that is not addressing the issue of teenage pregnancy. Is like most church stance on the issue.

Yes mostly twaithes said the right thing, just afraid a him and the $$$$ thing based on his past behavior.

[Bricktop]

Why would you not give them access to condoms...ridiculous...