FOR the first time since 1992, the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) conference will be held in Guyana in August of this year.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, President of the GTU, Colin Bynoe said that the biennial conference, which provides an opportunity for all the teachers’ unions in the Caribbean to meet, is scheduled to be held from August 4 to 9.
“We all will be in Guyana and we will be going through our activities in terms of making trade unionism and education something much better for the Caribbean, and by extension, for the respective territories, because we help in sharing ideas as to how they can tackle various problems that are affecting teachers and education as a whole within their countries,” he explained.
Delegates should arrive in Guyana by Saturday, August 3 and the following day there will be a church service to commence activities.
On the following Monday morning there will be a women’s session followed by the formal opening on the same afternoon. They will go into business sessions the following day, which will be continuous until the end of the conference.
He related that they are examining the possibility of hosting the conference at the Pegasus Hotel and the opening ceremony will be held at the National Cultural Centre.
He also advised that the Minister of Education has indicated that the ministry is supportive of the conference.
Those attending the conference include President of the CUT, Marvin Andall; CUT General Secretary, Adolph Cameron; and other officers such as the first, second and third vice presidents, trustees and the assistant secretary.
He said that apart from the participating delegates, an estimated 500 persons are expected to visit Guyana during the period of the conference.
He disclosed that they will meet with Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali to discuss possible tourism packages that can put together for visitors.
Additionally, he spoke of engaging members of the private sector such as resort operators, beverage companies and jewellery stores to liaise with them on what they can offer during the conference.
A massive Guyana night on the lawns of the GTU compound is also on the programme, where various aspects of Guyana’s culture, such as its food, dances and songs will be showcased.
“People must leave here with a proper impression of Guyana. This is an opportunity for us to change the tone as to what people are thinking about Guyana. And because teachers make all professions possible, we have an opportunity to do our national service here in making people have a right picture about Guyana,” he remarked.
However, he said it is important to note that GTU cannot do it all on its own, but for it to be successful; it requires the support of the government and other relevant authorities.