–tells them not to worry if the bank repossesses it

PRESIDENT of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Mark Lyte, has urged teachers not to worry over the potential loss of their homes or vehicles due to financial difficulties arising from the ongoing strike action, which was deemed illegal by the government.

Lyte, who is known to have multiple sources of income, stressed that these hardships are vital sacrifices for a “just cause.”
The GTU head sought to rally educators, urging them to prioritise the fight over personal financial stability.

“When we can’t pay our mortgage, that’s not a problem. The banks will take all of our homes and then it becomes a bigger problem for the country to find housing for us. When the bank takes over homes, it becomes a bigger problem for the government because they have to find shelter.

“That is their responsibility to find shelter for the nation. When the banks take our cars, they will have to find public transportation to take us freely to where we have to go,” Lyte said to the teachers.

Additionally, Lyte called for teachers to fully commit to the strike actions, criticising those who continue to perform duties such as marking School Based Assessments (SBAs) or engaging in other educational activities while claiming to participate in the strike.

He told the teachers not to worry since the union has persons, apart from the union resources, who are willing to commit their support. Reports are, however, that the union has not provided teachers with any tangible support to sustain their daily lives.

A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament and General Secretary of the GTU, Coretta McDonald, had stated that 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.
The question of the union’s credibility and real care for teachers was exacerbated by revelations from the Auditor General’s Office, which indicated a significant lack of financial transparency within the union.

Reports disclose that the GTU has not submitted a financial statement since 1989 and has failed to file its annual returns for two decades, despite collecting substantial dues from teachers’ salaries.

The government has responded by announcing an end to the automatic deduction of union dues from teachers’ paycheques, citing the union’s accountability issues.

The countrywide strike, deemed illegal by the government due to ongoing negotiations that have yet to break down, has seen support from traditional backers of the APNU+AFC.
The Guyana Police Force has reported instances of intimidation and threats related to the strike, underscoring the tense atmosphere surrounding the industrial action.

As the strike disrupts preparations for critical examinations such as the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), the Ministry of Education has issued warnings against unauthorised school closures, pointing out that only the Chief Education Officer has the authority to close schools.