BREAKING: Teachers end strike

Teachers across the country who have engaged in strike action for more than two months will return to schools from next week as the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and the Ministry of Education Friday came to an agreement n the way forward.

In an agreement shared on Facebook by Education Minister Priya Manickchand, it was noted that teachers will end the ongoing strike and resume work within two working days.

It was also agreed that there will be no victimisation, no loss of service, no transfer of teachers upon resumption and that teachers will return to their respective positions before the strike.

Importantly, upon the full resumption of work, it was noted that “conciliation will commence forthwith to determine whether the timeframe proposed by the GTU, 2019 to 2023 or the MOE 2024 and onwards should form part of a new multi-year agreement.”

The agreement was signed by GTU President Mark Lyte, GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald, Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Shannielle Hoosein- Outar and Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain.

For context, an initial five-week strike began on February 5, with teachers demanding higher salary increases and duty-free concessions, among other benefits.

After a court-mediated process in March, talks between the Education Ministry and GTU resumed. Discussions were halted when the Education Ministry indicated that there was no fiscal space to cater for increases for the period 2019 -2023. Increases for 2024 and future years were put for consideration instead.