Following concerns highlighted by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) on the processing of approximately four to five thousand applications for the promotion of senior teachers (in the public education division) for 2015-2016, a Teaching Service Commission (TSC) statement is maintaining that the body rigidly followed “set criteria and principles” in the exercise.
A press release stated that the Commission dismissed the alarm created by an injunction obtained by the GTU, requesting a 100% review of the applications; deeming it unnecessary since the Senior Promotion exercise was conducted by all the Commis-sioners, representatives from the Central Ministry, and a representative from the GTU, who is also a Commissioner.
It also mentioned during this year’s exercise the GTU delegate did not raise any objections.
The Commission stressed that the process adopted for the application for 2015 is the identical one that has been applied by the TSC in previous years.
It said that to determine an applicant’s suitability their experience, qualifications, appraisal grades and most importantly, the recommendations of the Head Teacher, District Education Officer, Regional Education Officer and Assistant Chief Education Officer are all taken into account.
It was also pointed out that upon completion the Prelimi-nary list of Promotions was dispersed to all ten Regions and posted on the TSC’s website.
This was followed by a two-week period in which applicants who were desirous of appealing the decisions did so and these were meticulously dealt with by Commission.
Subsequent to this an additional list with specific teachers’ grievances was requested by the Commission, however the GTU refused to provide said list, but instead called for a total re-examination of all the applications.
The TSC underscored its disappointment and concern at the GTU’s rejection of a compromise – to have the 2015 promotion exercise be concluded as it stands and any changes to the conditions for future promotion exercises be agreed between the TSC and the Ministry of Education.
This compromise had been proposed at a 29th October meeting.
