After the meeting on Thursday, officials from the Ministry of Education and representatives of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) agreed to discuss and negotiate several matters going forward, including pay increases for teachers from 2019 to 2023.
The Ministry of Education was represented by the Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain; Deputy Chief Education Officer Marti DeSouza; Deputy Chief Education Officer- Admin, Tiffany Harvey; the Ministry’s Human Resource Manager, Jacqueline Simon, and Senior Education Officer, Kerwin Jacobs.
On the other hand, the Union was represented by its President Dr. Mark Lyte; General Secretary, Coretta McDonald; other representatives: Mariska Williams, Julian Cambridge, Heathcliff Peters, Sumanta Alleyne, Collis Nicholson, Donnette D’Andrade, Rabindrauth Boodram and Colin Bynoe. There were also three General Council members: Deoraj Nauth, Sergio Joseph, and Vanessa Kissoon.
A release from the Education Ministry noted that the GTU and the MoE identified 27 issues to be tabled for discussion and the order in which they will be discussed.
The ministry said some of the matters up for discussion include salary matters included in the multi-year proposal 2019-2023, the 2% difference in salary for 2017 and 2018, a clothing allowance increase, and paying Whitley Council every three years.
A release from the Union said, “GTU’S priority was to have all financial matters to the table.”
Since the two sides differed on the percentage increase for salaries, a decision was reportedly taken for both sides to meet again on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 09:30 hrs in the Education Ministry’s Boardroom.
Additionally, the Education Ministry noted that it identified teacher absenteeism and punctuality, poor-performing schools, continuous professional education and completion of syllabus as issues to be discussed.
