I read with disbelief a very poorly written letter by one Tully about a former teacher from Massiah Primary School who allegedly did not receive her salary. I would like to make a few observations. Tully has failed to state his or her relationship with the teacher.
He/she has not indicated how he/she came into possession about the alleged facts of this matter, and how he/she has verified its accuracy. Without this information, we cannot know whether Tully’s version of the situation is true. For all we know, Tully may be trying to slander the educational officials involved in this matter.

If the alleged facts are true, why didn’t Latchmie Ramjit write a letter herself to the press? Even though she is in America, she can easily send an email to any of the local newspaper columns. Tully is discrediting Ms. Ramjit through his/her letter, because he/she is implying that Ms. Ramjit is unable or willing to assert her rights and defend herself in this matter.

Has Tully verified what the Ministry of Education’s policy is concerning the payment of salaries to teachers who migrate overseas?
Why is Tully so upset that Ms. Ramjit’s salary will be paid to her only when she returns to the country, assuming that Tully’s version of the facts are true?

Tully makes a big mistake by assuming that Guyanese policies should be similar to US policies regarding the payment of social securities, pensions or workers compensation. I would like to inform Tully that the United States and Guyana are two different countries, with different laws. Therefore, it is completely irrelevant what the laws of America allow. What really matters is what the Guyanese law says about payment of salaries to teachers who are not physically present in the country anymore.

Tully talks about the fact that workers who are paid will return and spend money in Guyana while on vacation. I don’t see how this is different in Ms. Ramjit’s case. Tully admits that when Ms. Ramjit returns to Guyana, she will be paid by the Ministry of Education. So I don’t see what the issue is about.

If Ms. Ramjit is out of the country, why does she need her money paid now into her bank account. Tully talks about how the money will not leave the country, but will be spent right here in Guyana. This is a preposterous idea! Ms. Ramjit is out of the country, but Tully says it will be spent in Guyana. So who will do the spending? Is Tully planning to take Ms. Ramjit’s salary for his/her own use?

Editor, I think the Ministry of Education has made the best decision possible in deciding to wait for Ms. Ramjit to return to pay her salary to her. The fact that Ms. Ramjit is silent on this matter, the fact that Tully is so vocal and insistent about Ms. Ramjit’s salary being paid into a particular bank account, and the fact that Tully has not revealed his/her last name, or his/her relationship to Ms. Ramjit suggest that Tully may have certain ulterior motives.

Any reasonable person would be suspicious of a letter like Tully’s. If Ms. Ramjit has an issue with her salary, let her do the writing. The internet has made that very easy to do from another country.