–Education Minister says; refers to strike threats as ‘unexplainable,’ ‘incongruous’ given ongoing engagements

IN a recent development, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has issued a firm response to the call for strike action made by the General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and Member of Parliament, Ms. Coretta McDonald. The Ministry expressed bewilderment at the proposed course of action, deeming it “unexplainable” and incongruous given the ongoing engagement between the MoE and the GTU.

Below is the statement issued by the Ministry of Education:

Dear HM, Senior Leadership Team and Teachers, I have noted the call by the General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and Member of Parliament, Ms. Coretta McDonald, for teachers to engage in ‘strike-action’ with effect from Monday 5th February 2024.

I find this course of action to be quite unexplainable and incongruous considering the relationship between the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the GTU. Indeed, in our continued quest to provide critical support to teachers, we just this morning met with the GTU at a pre-arranged, scheduled meeting to address the payment of teachers who have completed GOAL programmes, the implementation of Circular 7 of 2023, which allows for an additional deputy headteacher, senior master/mistress, and a reduction in the workload of teachers, in addition to other issues which revolved around teachers’ condition of work. Such engagements illustrate the Ministry’s commitment towards improving the lives of teachers.

I am aware that the GTU has identified several proposals for better working conditions. To be clear, the GTU has made 41 proposals for better working conditions. The MoE has fulfilled 25 of those requests in less than three years. Of the 16 remaining requests, two are specifically for the benefit only GTU and GTU executive members, and two are contrary to the laws of Guyana.

In essence, the MoE has not reached an agreement with GTU on the following issues: salary increases for some scales (MoE has gone above GTU’s request for some scales), allowances, rehired teachers paid at the scale that they retired at, housing fund (which the Union has repeatedly failed to give a way forward for although the fund has a few hundred million dollars put there by the Government) and salary scales for different HODs and Sixth Form Deputy Heads, payment for the marking of SBAs and house lots for teachers in each new housing scheme.

The 12 unresolved issues are currently being examined for their practical implementation and sustainability. In fact, only two weeks ago, the Minister of Education tasked the Exams Division of the MoE to consider her proposals and return with options in order for a stipend to be paid to teachers who manage SBAs. It is for these reasons that the threat of a strike is incomprehensible.

Having spent most of my career as an educator in the classroom, I am aware of the difficulties that teachers experience in doing their job, many being non-financial issues. As a result, the MoE has taken several actions to simplify the teaching process while reducing the burdens of being a teacher. It should be noted that GTU did not request these changes. These changes were initiated and implemented by the MoE for the benefit of teachers. Some of these changes include:

1. The removal of the Child Development Index Card (CDIC) as a required school document.

2.The removal of the General Scheme of Work as a curriculum document.

3. The weekly preparation of lesson plans rather than daily.

4. All trained teachers being eligible to be a Senior Assistant Master/Mistress after 6 years rather than 7.

5. 50 duty free teachers per year PLUS the granting of a duty-free concession to all senior teachers who have 3 years left to serve and have not received a concession previously.

6. All teachers being provided termly with grants to purchase teaching materials.

7. All CPCE pre-service trainees being paid $90000 rather than a $10000 stipend per month except a trainee teacher refuses same.

8.The Ministry of Education requested the Teaching Service Commission and the School Board Secretariat to do 2 senior promotion cycle per year so that more teachers can be promoted and earn a higher salary.

9. A general waiver letter to allow teachers to travel abroad without collateral.

10. The issuance of one waiver letter to cover the teacher’s contracted period.

11. The holders of the Technical Teachers’ Certificate as being appointed as Assistant Master/Mistress.

12. The creation of more senior vacancies in nursery, primary and secondary schools.

13. The reduction in teaching periods for secondary teachers.

14. The assignment of an assistant teacher to senior teachers in primary and nursery schools.

15. The appointment of floating teachers to schools to reduce the workload and substitute for teachers who are absent.

16. The implementation of the EMIS system, which will eliminate most aspects of manual record keeping.

17. An Open Day policy which is held centrally and regionally to address teachers’ concerns.

18. The appointment and upgrade of all teachers who attended UG without official release and permission before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

19. A reduction in the number of teaching practices for CPCE teachers.