Region Two teachers continue to strike but opted to stay at home yesterday and will do so again today.
This was confirmed by Sports Chairman of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) South, Martin Samaroo. He said that teachers in Region Two will continue to join the Guyana Teachers Union in calling for “collective bargaining” and a review in teachers’ salaries. He added that it is the seventh day teachers are staying away from the classroom.
When asked why he is joining in the fight, Samaroo said it is for all teachers to get a better salary especially with the high cost of living. He said that he is ensuring that he is out with the teachers and declared that no matter what, the teachers in Region Two will not give up. He noted that although the Ministry of Education (MoE) has threatened to cut teachers’ salaries, Region Two teachers stand in solidarity with the GTU.
“I have a lot more to say. What the Ministry is doing is very unfair and deceptive, they are claiming they are doing things for teachers that are mere classroom and workplace improvements.”
The teacher then questioned what the Ministry is doing for teachers to ensure that they can take care of their families. He revealed that he had to seek a part-time job in photography to help offset some of his personal expenses. “Teachers are the ones moulding the nation and it is important that we are given better salaries.”
He also questioned the ability of teachers to get by on what they are currently paid. “How will we survive? A $5,000 extra at the end of the month with an inflation above 30 per cent is a slap in the face to the most important category of workers in a country – teachers. All public servants deserve better and should get better.”
Samaroo noted that hundreds of Region Two teachers have joined in the industrial strike action because they feel that they are not properly compensated for the work they do and that MoE is not representing their interest.
Like Samaroo, other teachers echoed that the salaries they are receiving cannot match the high cost of living in Guyana. Many schools were left on Monday without any teacher in front of the classrooms and parents are worried about “learning loss.”
As such, parents are calling on MoE to stop the “blame game” and to host collective talks with the GTU so that teachers can continue to teach their children.
“I really want my children back in school. They went and no teacher teaching so they don’t want to go again. Examinations are coming up and we want our children to do well,” a parent bemoaned.
Region Two teachers iterated they will continue to support their union until there is collective bargaining between the MoE and GTU.
