If the demands of striking teachers are not met, the union will close all schools across the country, a high-ranking Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) official said on Tuesday as the country witnesses another day of striking and protest in the capital.
“…We want the Minister of Labour (Joseph Hamilon) to understand and by extension, the President, to understand that if you mash GTU, the confusion will start. This is no threat. This is what we’re saying: we will close all of the schools across this country,” GTU’s General Secretary and Opposition Parliamentarian, Coretta McDonald told media operative at the picket line this morning outside the Education Ministry on Brickdam, Georgetown.
McDonald, speaking directly to the government stated, “If you are not oppressors, then you will give us what we want”.
The strike action comes during the final term before the sitting of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) (common entrance) examinations and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), commonly referred to as CXC.
McDonald’s talk of closing all schools runs contrary to a statement issued by the Education Ministry over the authority to shutter public learning institutions.
In a Facebook post yesterday, the ministry said that it has been advised that some schools have been locked by the substantive head teacher and that numerous teachers were denied entry.
It noted that the closing of a school is the responsibility of the Chief Education Officer not a head teacher or a representative of the Guyana Teachers’ Union.
“Any head teacher who is found to have breached these rules will be held accountable and will be recommended to the Teaching Service Commission/School Boards Secretariat for disciplinary action,” the ministry said.
It has also asked that teachers report “acts of threats and intimidation by GTU agents and others” by calling 641 8573 or message via Whatsapp.
The ministry today reiterated it opinion that the strike is illegal, noting that a “majority” of the union’s requests had been met. In addition to union’s requests, the ministry said it initiated and implemented, among other things, the following:
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. A total of 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 $90 000 rather than a $10 000 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 cycles 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
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.
