The following is an excerpt from the heads of agreement concluded between the Ministries of Finance and the Public Service, and Education on the one hand, and the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), representing teachers in the government service, on the other hand, for the contract period April 1, 2008-March 31, 2010, signed on October 27, 2008.

Salaries and Allowances

Shift allowance

This allowance is paid to principals covering two-shift schools, at the rate of 20 per cent of the minimum of the relevant salary scale.

Remote, inducement, special allowance.

Remote/special allowance is increased from four increments to six increments in the relevant scale, and is to be extended to all teachers employed in special schools.

Books, software, technology allowance

An increase from $22,000 to $94,700 per annum with effect from April 1, 2008, and a further increase to $101,300 per annum with effect from April 1, 2009.

Protective clothing allowance

An increase from $8,400 per annum to $10,000 per annum with effect from April 1, 2008, and a further increase to $15,000 per annum with effect from April 1, 2009. This allowance is extended to all teachers in primary and special schools.

Duty allowance

An increase from $39,000.00 to $45,000 per annum, with effect from April 1, 2008, and a further increase to $60,000 per annum, with effect from April 1, 2009.

Transportation allowance (position of special responsibility)

An increase from $50,000 to $123,000 per annum for the contract period, effective April 1, 2008.

Special-duty allowance

An introduction of a special-duty allowance in the amount of $750,00 per occasion for national events.

Plant managers

To be provided where necessary, and to be determined based on size of the plant, teaching and non-teaching staff. This will be determined and administered by the Ministry of Education.

Multi-grade schools

The Ministry of Education will continue to provide support and technology to help these schools in the teaching process.

Unfinished items

Implementation of reclassification exercise to bring salaries/benefits of teachers to within 80 per cent of comparable positions in private sector.

New rates will be implemented in December 2008

Retroactive amounts due April 2007 - March 2008 will be paid in June 2009.

Retroactive amounts due from April 2008 to November 2008 will be paid in two equal tranches in December 2008 and April 2009.

Graduate allowance

Graduate allowance to be increased by one additional increment for master's and doctoral degrees.