THE minibus debacle has become a ‘running sore’ and something had to be done. The owners, operators/conductors abused their seeming indispensability. They ‘jacked up’ the tariff, and they coupled this with sporadic but strategic strikes.  Who suffered? The general citizenry. However, true to its nature, the caring and prudent government did a most benign thing. Its decision to further lower excise taxes on fuel by 10% is a most welcomed initiative. This of course is in order to provide relief to minibus operators.
Mind you, the hike in fares was inconsiderate. This is because the minibus culture across Guyana is most rapacious. For one, there is always a ‘legal overload’. (How many people should be in the conductor’s seat?). So at least one passenger is in a state of discomfort. Secondly, how can these unscrupulous ‘professionals’ ask for  increases in fares, when they have enough money for unnecessary amenities such as ‘state of the art’ stereo systems and cosmetic wheels and rims.
It just does not add up. Passengers should demand comfort in seating, AC accommodation, and absolute silence during their journey. After all, ‘what is good for the goose is good for the gander.’

So yes, the government was very timely with its intervention. This act of conciliation is a token of the ruling administration’s appreciation of the reality that exists in Guyana and the world at large. However, as intimated before, who will police the system? The onus seems to fall on those now being affected the most, that is, the actual commuters.
It is hoped that these ‘victims’ of such wrangling, the innocent and common folk of Guyana, be civic and responsible.

So, make sure that you do not tolerate the infringement of any of the by-laws: number of passengers, number of commuters in the conductor’s seat, speeding, smoking, the new trend of having a beer/Guinness in hand, and noise nuisance.

Also, in the name of dignity, it is hoped that the drivers and conductors adhere to a decent dress code (which must be implemented).
The second facet to this caring and prudent government is the fact that the teachers across Guyana have been promised housing schemes in several regions, along with a revolving housing fund. The complaint was and still is that local teachers were being sidelined, and thus they were and are wont to leave (even though this is not necessarily so, and migration is not a uniquely Guyanese problem).
Government, valuing the  immeasurable contributions of these ‘educating leaders’, has yet again proven its worth. Not too long ago, the Ministry of Education, under the guidance of Mr. Shaik Baksh, unveiled plans for trained teachers to be further equipped.
The plan incorporates the Cyril Potter College of Education and the University of Guyana co-operating to offer full degrees in specialized discipline.
This programme will see ‘quality’ and ‘economy’ of time. It simply means that (potential) teachers will be able to complete ‘tertiary to university’ training in five years, instead of the ‘three college’ and the ‘four university’ separate years.
This shows that the government is truly committed to the enhancement of quality education across Guyana.

So as the new (post election) era dawns, there is an air of optimism. Why? The citizens of Guyana can clearly see that government is totally committed to the peace and ease of all Guyanese, the improvement of the quality of life nation-wide, and the enhancement of the education sector, professionally and personally
All for your cooperation