I found the utterance from President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Mr. Patrick Yard to the effect that I said I cannot work with the Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Genevieve Whyte-Nedd as reported in the Saturday 8th edition of the Kaieteur News grossly mischievous, malicious and furthest from the truth. I want to make it categorically and abundantly clear that at no time I made such remarks in any meeting with Mr. Yarde.

It is very unfortunate that Mr. Yarde would resort to such a narrow and unprofessional approach to buttress his position on the matter.

I have said on numerous occasions, including in the National Assembly that appointments to positions within the Public Service, including that of the Chief Education Officer, are not within the authority of the Minister of Education.

It is regrettable that Kaieteur News did not solicit my comments on this matter before the publication of the said article.