Gov’t, GTU again sign multi-year incentive package
– 5% increase in salary, $200M increase in revolving housing fund
THE welfare of the nation’s teachers was further assured and advanced yesterday when another multi-year, incentive agreement was signed between the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU). Minister of Education Mr. Shaik Baksh, delivering remarks in the presence of Permanent Secretary Mr. Phulandar Kandhai and the GTU’s leadership, inclusive of its president Mr. Colin Bynoe, general secretary Ms. Coretta Mc Donald and executive members, described the occasion as “a long awaited event”.
He was happy to report, finally, that an agreement had been concluded after much negotiation that represented the best interests of the nation’s teachers. Baksh opined that such a package will redound to the benefit of the educators.
The minister emphasised that over the years, government has been committed not only to improving the salaried  aspect of teachers, but also the non-salaried conditions as well, and described this agreement as modelled on the last one, and will usher in a number of increased benefits, especially of a non-salaried nature. 
The highlights of this five-year agreement that takes effect from January 1, 2011 onto 2015 are as follows:   An across-the-board increase in teachers’ salaries of 5%; a joint committee to remedy the problem of de-bunching; and incentives to be paid to teachers who improve their academic qualifications.
According to Minister Baksh, government is committed to giving 1% or $50M to  teachers’ wage bill, to remedy the anomalies in educators’ salaries structure.
The minister explained that the incentive system will allow  a monthly payment to be done for the acquisition of certificates and diplomas, and encourage teachers to elevate to the levels of Master’s and Doctoral degrees.
Referring to the Teacher Reform Programme that targets a 70% trained teacher goal, he expressed the hope that this number should improve to  90% at the end of the period under review, with most of this number becoming graduates.    
Non-salaried benefits have also been increased, beginning with an increase in uniform allowance; and duty-free concessions will continue. This scheme will be expanded to include other categories, and will be reviewed as the need arises.
The revolving housing fund which now totals $200M is to be   increased by $40M for each of the next five years, and Minister Baksh expressed the hope that by the end of May, all eligible teachers will be able to access such a facility.
Directly linked to the Revolving Fund, is the availability of 100 house lots which, according to the minister, will be distributed on a needs basis.
Continuing the non-salaried incentives, the minister announced that return air fares/bus fares for a teacher’s spouse and up to two children below 18 years will be paid so as to allow their return to the coastland each term; an increase of 50% in the hard-line and station allowances paid, which annual sum is already $60M.  This is in addition to the remote area incentive that currently stands at $83M paid to teachers who serve in the riverain and hinterland communities.
Teachers will also now be able to receive their Whitley Council Leave allowance at the end of the month in which they become eligible; the number of scholarships for teachers has now been increased to 30, and will be increased for teachers desirous of pursuing mathematics and science studies.   
In the continuing efforts to conform to proper academic standards,  the Minister of Education said that the teacher to student ratio will be reviewed, stating his optimism that based on information, Guyana may be leading among CARICOM states in this regard
Minister Baksh also announced that a joint committee will be established to examine the functioning of school boards and make recommendations accordingly.
Signing on behalf of the Ministry of Education was its Permanent Secretary, Mr. Phulandar Kandhai; whilst Mr. Colin Bynoe did so on behalf of the GTU.
The multi-year package was sealed in October 2006 and primarily catered for a five percent per annum across-the-board increase for all categories of teachers and one percent of the wage bill as a performance-based increase per year for eligible teachers.
It also included more compensation for teachers who bettered their qualifications, a yearly clothing allowance of $6,000 each, duty free concessions for vehicles for 100 head teachers yearly, a housing revolving fund of $40M per year, that is, $200M by 2010 to facilitate construction of houses for teachers and 25 scholarships each year for teachers to attend the University of Guyana. (GINA)

PULL QUOTE:
The revolving housing fund which now totals $200M is to be   increased by $40M for each of the next five years, and Minister Baksh expressed hope that by the end of May, all eligible teachers will be able to access such a facility.