WITH reference to a letter in KN column captioned “Teachers must continue their militancy”. As General Council representatives, we wish to congratulate those persons who were brave enough to bring this matter out. We need not only be educated and professional teachers, but bold enough to speak the truth.
What was done by the President (ag) and the other Officers is unforgivable. As members of the present General Council, we are extremely disappointed that our Officers can be stubborn in not carrying out a constitutional mandate of the General Council. It must be noted that General Council is the third- highest decision making forum of this organization (with the membership being the highest and conference number two).
The Constitution of the GTU in rule 7 speaks of supreme authority of the membership making decision and this body (the membership) can, through a referendum, so make changes to any decision previously made. The constitution also speaks of the President of the GTU being the custodian (see Rule 17).
When we consider all of these, there is need to ask the question, are these Officers truly knowledgeable about this union? Are they interested in transparency? Do they have what it takes to uphold the values set by Basil Blair, Jean Persico, Ancel Hazel, Rupert Osborne and even Bertram Hamilton? We are afraid that the answer is a resounding ‘No’.
Teachers of Guyana, you need to make a conscious decision now to ensure that this never happens again. The President (ag) and those Officers with her must not be allowed to bring this organization to shame by disregarding the Constitution, they must help in upholding it.
This disregard by this senior member, who is now running for top office in this Union, must give her cause to step aside, because if at this level she is breaking the law of the Constitution of the GTU, then she is not fit to hold such office.
Failing to appreciate this, all members of this Union should cause her to do so, by not casting their votes for her at the upcoming elections.