Scores of teachers in Region Two continued to strike for the 11th day yesterday for a review of salaries and collective bargaining.
They joined the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) in front of the Department of Education and walked to the Anna Regina high bridge. They then marched with their placards demanding collective bargaining.
Teachers are continuing to call on the Ministry of Education to hold “collective bargaining” with the GTU so that they can return to their classrooms. According to teachers they were blocked from using “public” spaces for their protest.
Teacher Martin Samaroo – a prominent voice in the strike – said that they will not succumb to the “negative energy” and will continue the struggle. The teachers walked and chanted various slogans. On the bridge they held up placards which called for higher salaries to cater for the high cost of living.
Teachers from other parts of the Essequibo coast joined in the march. Headmaster Fenton Williams said that teachers continue to set the foundation for children in the country and that educators at Tapakuma Primary will continue to stand with the GTU.
“We are not backing down, we know where our slippers are, we know exactly, so they have to pay us, we are willing to work if there is collective bargaining”, Williams said.
The hinterland and riverain teachers said that they will continue to join the protest action.
“We will not be intimidated by no politician. We are standing up for our rights, and we know we are standing up for all public servants”, one teacher said.
Parents in the area are also worried at the teachers’ absence from classrooms.
