‘I am sorry’ – Keith Scott to Teachers

Days after he faced tremendous backlash for describing teachers as “uncaring and selfish”, Minister with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott has apologised for his remarks.

“I would like to offer my sincerest apologies to the teachers of Guyana. I regret making such an inflammatory and hurtful statement,” Scott is quoted as saying in a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency (MotP).

Saying he will always hold “the teachers of our nation in the highest regard”, Minister Scott said he never intended to be “disrespectful” or “downplay the legitimate industrial actions” taken by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU).

“I humbly and sincerely apologise,” Minister Scott expressed.

Teachers are continuing their countrywide strike action for better salaries as negotiations continue between the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and the Government.

Scott, whose Ministry is the mediator between the Education Ministry and the Union, was addressing the Bursary Awards Ceremony of the Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union (GPSCCU) on Friday when he made the remarks about the Teachers.

Most Teachers and the GTU reacted with anger at the Minister’s comment.