A REPORT addressing important issues in the education sector was handed over to Education Minister Nicolette Henry by a high-level task force.

The task force was put together last November to address salary negotiations and other issues affecting teachers. The matters addressed included non-salary issues, allowances, de-bunching and matters highlighted during the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the education sector, in addition to the GTU Multi-Year Agreement.

On Friday when the report was handed over to Minister Henry at her Brickdam office, the Education Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Vibert Welch said after three months of intense deliberations, a number of favourable recommendations have been tabled.

According to him, the recommendations made in the final report will likely attract more persons to the teaching profession and encourage those who are already in to remain. The permanent secretary said the high-level task force is optimistic that Cabinet would look favourably at the recommendations put forward.

President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, Mark Lyte, said he is pleased that the report is finally completed and handed over. Lyte said after three months of deliberations, members of the GTU are satisfied with the proposals and recommendations made.

According to the GTU President, it is important that the work of teachers in the classroom is recognised. Like the PS in the Education Ministry, Lyte said the GTU is anticipating a favourable response from Cabinet on the issues to be addressed.

The report will be presented to Cabinet by the Minister of Education. During the ceremony, Minister Henry said that she will go through the document in its entirety along with her Cabinet colleagues. She said that after this process, hopefully, all of the recommendations can be implemented.

GTU General-Secretary, Coretta McDonald; Finance Secretary, Hector Butts and representatives of the Ministry of Communities, Ministry of the Presidency and Department of the Public Service, were present at the handing-over ceremony.