Day five of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) strike saw a large crowd protesting in front of the Ministry of Labour on Brickdam.
Accompanied by the beating of drums, teachers yesterday shouted, “What we need? 50 percent. In whose voice? Ali’s voice. Guyana shines at CXC and teachers get pay like junkies. Teachers are the best we educate the rest. All we want is 50 per cent because that was promise to us.”
Parents, members of parliament and others, gathered and protested in solidarity with teachers.
“Look around, teachers are coming out in their numbers because at this time people understand that this is bread and butter. We have no interest of who is in government. All we are saying is fix those wage and those issues that are going on at school. If the government say well hear, we are going to meet with your union Monday, we are there, we are always there,” one teacher declared.
Roger Parris, a teacher attached to the Charlestown Secondary School, and who is the head of department of Social Studies, told reporters that he is concerned that the President did not make an effort to come and engage teachers and by extension meet with the union representatives. Parris said he has been teaching for 29-plus years and teachers’ salaries cannot afford their basic necessities.
“So, I’m hoping if not (Minister of Education) Priya (Manickchand) or (Vice President Bharrat) Jagdeo, but the president too can come down and meet with teachers. The world is seeing and hearing and we are not asking for nothing too much. We are asking just for what we think is livable and workable.”
Elizabeth Niles who is attached to the Bishops’ High School said it hurts that she is absent from the classroom and not be of service to her sixth form students. Niles insisted that the strike is not political.
“We are the fastest growing economy in the world. Teachers suffering, public servants suffering. My only concern is my sixth form students, I love them and I am hurting that I am not in the classroom but you got to stand up somehow, some way. This is not politics, it’s all about us standing up for what is rightfully ours. We’re in the classroom, we’re working with children. We are doctors, nurses, lawyers, everything. You’re telling me that they can’t at least come to the bargaining table, even if it is half way and please teachers a little bit. But no, the disrespect is too much so we’re going to stay out here”, she lamented.
The ministry has deemed the strike illegal as it says that the grievance procedure was not complied with. The teachers strike started on Monday.
