Saying that there remains a health threat posed by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the General Council of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) yesterday maintained its call to teachers to continue to instruct their students from home despite an instruction from the Education Ministry that they return to schools.
In a statement issued yesterday, the GTU reiterated that its General Council has decided not to support the Ministry of Education’s plan to conduct classes and examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic due to Guyana’s “fluid” situation. The National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) will be held on July 1st and July 2nd, while the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) will commence in July.
“…teachers are advised to remain in the safety of their homes and continue to give virtual support to learners as they finalise their preparations for their respective examination. There should be no sense of guilt felt by any teacher since the union’s recommendations to have these examinations written at a later date fell on deaf ears,” the union said in the statement. The GTU said it remained committed to the development of the country but will not risk the lives of its educators, their families and students. “Further, we remind every teacher that victimisation measures will be resisted in the strongest possible way by the GTU,” it added, while noting that it will fight to uphold the right to life for every member.
Following the ministry’s decision, teachers were expected to return to school yesterday to assist in the preparations for students sitting examinations. These students are expected to return to schools next Monday.
The GTU is urging teachers to remain safe, and continue to follow the health protocols established by World Health Organization and the Ministry of Public Health.
A Grade Six teacher, who asked not to be named, told Stabroek News that she returned to the classroom out of concern for her students. She said the day was spent preparing the classrooms for the students expected to be there on June 15th.
She noted that seats were placed six feet apart, and classrooms were sanitised.
A Grade One teacher, attached to Amelia’s Ward Primary, said her visit to the classrooms were mainly to assist in cleaning.
She said teaching aids were taken down, and classrooms were rearranged to facilitate social distancing. However, she said she is not expected to return on Monday when school re-opens.
