AMID the ongoing illegal protest orchestrated by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), the government on Monday issued a notice, declaring that educators who have been absent from work without authorised leave will face salary deductions.

According to the official notice sent out by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, a list was compiled from all 11 Education Districts of teachers who have failed to report for duty and lacked the necessary leave approval.

“This unauthorised absence constitutes a breach of their conditions of service and their statutory duties and attracts legal sanctions,” the notice stated.

It was further announced that the deductions would be reflected in the teachers’ March 2024 salaries, aligning with legal requirements.

The backdrop of this stern action is a week-long protest staged by some teachers led by the GTU and joined by opposition elements.

The strike has been under scrutiny for its underlying intentions. The GTU called for the strike, claiming that negotiations on teachers’ conditions and benefits have yet to be exhausted.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Sunday, while addressing the nation, highlighted the need for fairness and cautioned against political manipulation.

“We have to be fair. We have to have a conscience. We can’t allow ourselves to be political pawns and this is all I ask. For us to be fair. For us to look at all we have done, for us to understand the commitment I have made. I can look every worker in the eye and say to them, we got your back, we are committed to you, we will bring prosperity to every one of your homes,” he stated.

He reassured every worker of the government’s support and commitment to their collective prosperity. The protests and the government’s response follow a year of consultations among President Ali, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, and other officials with educators to address their concerns.

McDonald had previously urged the government to proceed with salary deductions for teachers participating in the strike action.

She said the potential salary deductions for participating teachers would not pose a problem, as “corporate sponsors” have committed to reimbursing affected educators.

However, specifics regarding these sponsors, the total funds pledged, and the planned distribution method remain undisclosed.

Minister Manickchand had criticised the strike as “dishonest” and “dishonourable,” pointing out that negotiations with the GTU were ongoing and were not at an impasse as claimed by the union.

The Ministry of Labour has stated that the conditions necessary for legal strike action have not been met, deeming the current strike unlawful.

The Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, had urged the GTU to adhere to proper protocols for addressing grievances.

On the other side of the divide, other educators have voiced their disapproval of the GTU’s leadership and strategies.

They argued for a return to negotiations with the government and constructive dialogue to ensure that the educational needs of the nation’s children are met without further disruption.

They advocated for a more inclusive, and dialogue-driven approach to addressing the sector’s challenges, since the strike is not the way forward and a broader conversation is needed about the most effective ways to advocate for and support educators in Guyana.

The strike action comes when students are preparing for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).