By Khadidja Ba
President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) Mark Lyte yesterday provided a detailed update on the union’s negotiations with the Ministry of Education in a live Facebook post. Delivered to over 500 online viewers, it highlighted the key issues discussed over four bilateral meetings and detailed the outcomes of these discussions.
Lyte began by acknowledging the challenges faced by teachers in Guyana. “Being a Guyanese teacher is nothing simple. We operate under conditions that are not compatible with what exists in other parts of the world,” he said. He also emphasised that the GTU does not endorse the political rhetoric surrounding the general secretary of the GTU, underscoring that “in any group or any grouping, there are going to be different views and perceptions,” and reaffirming the union’s commitment to resolving these differences amicably within its framework.
He then provided insights into the progress made on several contentious issues. With regard to housing, he said, the GTU and the Ministry of Education have agreed on a proposal, with the ministry committing to ensure that teachers have access to house lots. “We feel that having a committee with the union and the ministry looking at the welfare of housing for teachers can help to fast-track those who are stuck in the process,” Lyte said.
Further, despite ongoing challenges since 2006, there is a renewed effort to establish a functional house revolving fund. “We are looking to see the house revolving fund get started,” Lyte said, mentioning the possibility of involving the Guyana Public Service Credit Union in managing the funds.
As regards the marking of school-based assessments (SBAs) and mock exams, Lyte announced that the ministry has agreed to a minimum payment of $500 per SBA per child, a move he described as a “foot in the well” for compensating teachers supervising Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate students.
In relation to salary scale adjustments, he said, the agreement includes revised salary scales for sixth form deputies. “The two parties agreed that deputies of a sixth form school will receive the salary of an A-grade head teacher,” Lyte explained.
The negotiations also covered the teacher-student ratio and the agreement would include adjustments to this, ensuring that schools with larger class sizes receive additional support. “For example, at the nursery level, if a class has more than the agreed ratio of 15 to one, an additional teacher will be provided,” he stated. In addition to this, the ratio for special needs classes has been set at one teacher to six learners, though Lyte said he is advocating for a further reduction to four learners per teacher.
Meanwhile, the ministry agreed to reemploy retired teachers at their previous salary level, a change Lyte hailed as a positive development. “Retired teachers will come back with the salary they left, which will not affect their gratuity or pension from NIS,” he said.
Addressing concerns over the high cost of living in hinterland areas, Lyte announced that teachers would be afforded transportation options and increased benefits. “Teachers working in the hinterland will be afforded air transportation and other benefits to alleviate the high cost of living,” he added. In addition, they will receive additional points for promotion and increased allowances. “After four consecutive years, teachers will now receive three points for promotion, an increase from the previous two points,” Lyte said.
There has been a significant increase in scholarships, with 100% more opportunities for teachers at the University of Guyana and to this end, Lyte said: “Teachers will be able to pursue a diploma or master’s degree free of cost.” Further, new allowances for management certificates and degree holders have been introduced and Lyte emphasised, “all of these allowances will be tax-free.”
Although a $25,000 healthcare package was not realised, Lyte announced plans for regional health outreaches. “The Ministry of Education commits to collaborating with the Ministry of Health for regional health checks and evaluations,” he said.
The issue of debunching, which affects salary scales, has seen progress. Lyte explained, “Teachers with three years of service will move to the middle of the scale, which will be adjusted accordingly.”
In addition, a new master teacher role will allow teachers to receive a higher salary without administrative duties. “The master teacher will receive the salary of a higher status without having to take on additional administrative responsibilities,” Lyte elaborated. This structure is designed to accommodate those educators who prefer to remain in the classroom rather than take on administrative roles, he stated.
In closing, Lyte expressed a sense of urgency and commitment. “When good things happen, we take the praise; when bad things happen, we take the blows,” he said. He also called for accountability from the government and Parliament, stressing, “we must hold our governments accountable” and that the fight for a livable wage and salary is ongoing.
A significant concern highlighted during the stream was the issue of early gratuity. One viewer noted that current laws restrict gratuity payments to ages 50 and 55, requiring any changes to be approved by Parliament. The commenter urged parliamentarians to address this issue, hoping they would introduce a proposal to adjust the legal framework for earlier gratuity payments. This issue had previously been agreed upon but had to be retracted due to its legal implications.
Another viewer raised a concern regarding the salary for graduate senior masters, stating that it was not as high as the reported $258,000. Lyte responded that he was referring to the 2023 salary scale. He suggested that the teacher check with her department if she was not receiving the reported amount, implying that there might be an issue with her current salary.
Lyte also issued a call to action for continued advocacy and support, emphasising the GTU’s dedication to improving conditions for Guyanese teachers amidst the evolving political landscape.
Last week GTU rejected the government’s multi-year package for teachers, which included a 10% pay hike for this year, 9% for 2025, and 8% for 2026 along with a commitment to match increases in public service pay increases, if those are higher.
Coretta McDonald, General Secretary of the GTU, confirmed that the union had officially rejected the government’s offer, describing the proposed package as “not good for all teachers,” highlighting significant dissatisfaction with the offer.
Lyte was absent from that meeting and yesterday he did not indicate whether he agreed with the move as it was initially believed he was about to accept the offer. Asked for a comment on this after his live broadcast, the GTU President offered no comment.
In a recent message to teachers Lyte had outlined a potential agreement involving 10%, 9% and 8% increases over three years, with a provision for adjustments based on public sector pay rates. He had emphasized the need for a swift resolution to roll out benefits by September and urged members to participate in upcoming regional and branch meetings.
That message however, was met with frustration by some teachers, who took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the proposed increases. Earlier negotiations had included a 7% increase proposal, which the GTU had rejected. Subsequent meetings between the GTU and the Ministry of Education addressed several key issues, though full agreement had yet to be reached.
Lyte had urged members to remain cautious of unverified information and assured that both parties are committed to issuing a joint statement once a resolution is achieved.
