By Mark DaCosta- As Guyana entered the fifth week of the teachers’ strike on Monday, March 4, the intransigence displayed by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government has not only impacted the education sector but sent shockwaves throughout Guyana. This stubbornness is not only unreasonable but counterproductive and reflects a lack of regard for the well-being of all Guyanese, including educators.
Observers note that the effects of this strike extended far beyond the immediate concerns of teachers and students. Parents, the backbone of our society, have had to grapple with the emotional toll as they sought alternative arrangements for their children during school hours. The financial strain, exacerbated by the high cost of living, further burdened their already stretched budgets.
Vendors, usually bustling around schools, faced the ripple effects of the strike, with shuttered stalls and absent sellers. A recent walkthrough on Woolford Avenue on March 4 revealed a stark absence of vendors, highlighting the economic downturn they are experiencing due to the PPP regime’s actions.
It is noted that minibus operators were not immune to the fallout, with reduced numbers of students traveling leading to a decrease in trips and short drops. Operators of school buses were without an income. The strike’s impact has trickled down through various sectors, affecting the livelihoods of many Guyanese. Again, it must be said: no reasonable person blames teachers; they blame the stubborn, uncaring, insensitive PPP government.
A look at the strike action reveals a years-long struggle that culminated on February 5, as the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) demanded collective bargaining for increased wages/salaries and improved working conditions. The union has been proposing multi-year plans since 2000 – and every year after that, which the PPP regime has totally ignored. The GTU also sought additional allowances, emphasising the need for fair compensation and improved working conditions.
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), recognising the gravity of the situation, has now taken legal steps in support of the strike. General Secretary Lincoln Lewis, through Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, applied to the court to join the GTU’s struggle for collective bargaining to be respected and upheld. This legal intervention underscores the widespread discontent with the PPP government’s handling of the situation.
Despite Judge Sandil Kissoon issuing conservatory orders to block the government from implementing its decision to withhold pay and stop deduction of union dues – the refusal of the ruling regime to engage in meaningful dialogue persists. The government’s response has been heavy-handed, violating international labor practices as well as Guyana’s constitution and subsidiary legislation, and further eroding democratic principles.
The consequences of the PPP government’s contempt for teachers remains manifest in various ways. The strike’s impact on students’ education is profound, as learning time is lost, and the potential for long-term negative effects on academic performance becomes a genuine concern. One analyst underscored that the government’s whispered suggestions of online learning reveals a callous lack of understanding of the practical challenges faced by students, including limited internet access and scarce computers. Not to mention frequent, unpredictable blackouts.
The emotional toll on parents, vendors, mini-bus, operators, and so on, is palpable. The government’s dismissal of the teachers’ reasonable demands reflects a broader disregard for the well-being of all Guyanese. As one Guyanese writer, political analyst, and social commentator aptly put it.
It has been repeatedly emphasised that the PPP government’s routine imposition of meager pay increases without engaging in collective bargaining raises questions about its commitment to democratic principles. By sidestepping constitutional mandates, the PPP government risks undermining the very foundation of the nation’s legal framework.
In the face of adversity, Guyanese citizens must unite against an administration prioritising its political agenda over the well-being of the people. The PPP government’s irresponsibility has had enormous ripple effects, which we are witnessing. The teachers have shown considerable patience, and it is time for the government to reassess its approach, honour the constitution, and engage in meaningful dialogue for the sake of our education system and our nation’s future.
The optimists among us hope the Agreement struck in the Court between the Teachers Union and Government on Monday will materialise in improving relations between the two sides and the government showing some respect for the rule of law and workers’ rights.
