The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) has spoken out against electoral violence especially where it affects schoolchildren and teachers.
In a press release yesterday, the GTU stated that it has observed “with dismay,” footage of innocent children being traumatised and injured by riotous individuals, who were purported to be “supporters of the Peoples’ Progressive Party/Civic.”
The Union therefore has condemned “the unruly behaviour of our citizens, in various parts of this country and the threat to limbs and lives of our teachers and public servants and especially students.” It also expressed its “deep” concern about those individuals seeking to take matters into their own hands and have “wilfully” set out to cause harm to innocent children on their way to school, and teachers, in the course of executing their duties.
“We condemn this most cowardly act and wish to urge everyone, who may still be entertaining such thoughts, to desist immediately in their thoughts and actions, from any activity which can lead to inciting fear, tension and violence, or cause damage to limbs, property or even loss of lives,” the union declared.
The GTU is advising teachers and parents to report any suspicious acts and to be on the alert at all times, while reminding parents that they must help to protect teachers, without whom, their children’s education would be hampered.
