Dear Editor,
Once again, permit me to salute the nation’s teachers who the last four weeks, have stood in defiance against the ruthless and heartless rulers committed to reducing the country, its institutions, constitution, and the rule of law to emptiness. Also, permit me to salute Judge Sandil Kissoon for his historic ruling in defense of his court, the nation’s judiciary, and the rule of law, by summoning the Ministry of Education’s Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain, to his court making it clear that his circular to Headteachers violates the court order, forcing an apology and withdrawal of the circular.
In an unprecedented move, the Judge ordered the resolution of the dispute between the teachers and the government. Both sides are to appoint two lawyers to negotiate a settlement under the supervision of the court. In so doing, Judge Kissoon has entered the annals of our history as an enlightened Judicial luminary and a patriotic Guyanese willing to do the correct thing based on the rule of law and the separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judiciary. In a period of a run-a-way dictatorship, all of Guyana stands proud.
In the context of our political and racial polarized society, Judge Kissoon whether or not he had intended it, has objectively struck a liberating blow in the defense of the “dignity” of the Indian community. As an African political and cultural activist, I move to put this observation in the public record – all Guyana stands proud.
The regime’s actions have notably backfired, resulting in considerable
political setback amidst foreign dignitaries from CARICOM and the USA. The national court is upholding the Constitution and the rule of law, a development of great political significance that has not gone unnoticed by our visitors. Now, exposed by their actions, the rulers are at a crossroads: they must either retreat or persist in their reckless disregard for the judiciary. In doing so, the PPP state is setting the stage for a potential crisis between the Executive and the Judiciary, in essence, a political crisis of its own making.
Students of the dialectic will not miss the developing contradictions and the important lessons of the teacher’s strike. Week four, like the previous three weeks, belongs to the teachers promoting their just demand for living wages and the right to collective bargaining. The rulers to date are the losers. Their fate lies in their own hands. Victory to the nation’s teachers! The struggle continues.
Sincerely,
Tacuma Ogunseye
