By Paul Andrew Bourne, MSc. (candidate), BSc. (Hons.)
The PNP administration and the governing policymakers are eagerly promoting “performance pay for teachers.” This is rightfully so in an economy with dwindling resources and low productivity. In a global context of high-end competition, the missing element to date in the discourse is “what about those at the helm of the society?”
In this nation, many people continue to advocate the fundamental issues of productivity pay incentive scheme for workers. Nevertheless, for some who stress its importance, they have a narrow view on the matter. In that, they are forwarding a perspective primarily for teachers but what of the doctors, nurses and university lecturers. While productivity is a challenging economic phenomenon that lacks a sociological perspective, policymakers in developing nations have trampled upon the significant issues because of political inexpediency. They will eagerly not pursue policies that will directly change their lifestyle. So productivity is for the servants and not the masters. This is not forth sight in tackling a matter that positively influences production but is one that if not instituted will give political mileage. The present administration is thereby likely to benefit and so will not address this significant matter. Furthermore, they are likely to be ‘accountable’ if this principle extends to them to which they are not happy to subscribe. Hence, ‘performance pay’ is really a set of words.
In Jamaica, although all peoples are totally cognizant that efficiency has its multiplier effect on price reduction and that productivity is an important ingredient in costs saving theorizing, the politicians to date have been performing effectively poorly in all areas of their mandate. Hence, ‘performance pay for public sector employees’ would mean that some politicians will be automatically dismissed from their substantive post.
Many policymakers in government have failed miserable at the mandate to which they were primarily nominated to carry out by the enumerators and so ‘performance pay’ is not a welcome phenomenon. Hence, if we are arguing for “performance pay a must for teachers” and rightfully so, within the context of globalization of trade, why are we not ranting and raging that this be applied across all sectors of the society beginning with the heads of state onwards? Why?
I have not to date heard anyone ask that Dr. Peter Phillips’ salary be reduced by half because of the ‘performance pay’ incestive scheme or his dismissal for that matter. The Minister of National Security is singled out here to represent the politicians but not that he is the only one. The crime statistics for the month of June 2004 clearly indicate that Honourable Dr. Phillips has failed miserable at the task to which his mandate stipulates and so he should be asked to repay the society one half of his salary for each month that crime is unchecked or adequately addressed as we are advocating for ‘performance pay’.
Once more, I agree wholeheartedly with ‘performance for pay for teachers’ but I am also advocating for equality. Therefore, if we are advocating the construct of ‘performance pay’ within the context of value output theorizing, this value theory must begin with the political leaders. Because if our statesmen are exempted from such a critical economic theorizing, then the issue of crime will not be adequately addressed by any politicians or even human development as there are no disbenefits for them for satisfactorily performance.
The problem that the Jamaican society faces is equality across the social class, gender and social status. Meaning, some rules are institutionalized for a particular social class, occupational group, educational cohorts and privileged few which is why justice is not perceived by all in the say way. Therefore, I am recommending that “performance pay for politicians” be the first indicator of the government’s intention to tackle equality and fairness across all diasporas in Jamaica. Right now, the divide on fundamental issues will continue to split this society into subdivisions, unless the public officials will adequately create that equality in Jamaica that implies that “we are all one and will be treated as such.”
Bicknell (2004: G11) posits that “the teaching profession is one of the only few professions where there is little monetary reward for excellence, and we will never attract outstanding individuals into the teaching profession until we provide them with some sort of monetary reward for success.” If Bicknell theorizing is true, then are we forwarding a position that politics will not attract the outstanding persons from among us as it is one such professions like teaching. Notwithstanding Bicknell revelations, I am more convinced that “performance pay for politicians” is a necessary ingredient for upward movement in our society, as I envision a Jamaica in its past glory when she was the economic superpower of Latin America and the Caribbean - like in the 1960s.