The Jagdeo/Ali regime’s continuous transgression of the right of the nation’s public teachers is not a matter that should be treated lightly for it has dire implications for every citizen, including the religious community President Irfaan recently met with. The Constitution of Guyana is explicit in guaranteeing unionised workers the right to collective bargaining (Article 147), equally as the Trade Union Recognition Act, Sect 23 (1) places an obligation on the employer to treat with the union in good faith.
Recent statement by Education Minister Priya Manickchand that teachers are holding a gun to the government’s head by submitting a just request for an across-the-board increase cannot be more excessive in tone or content.
The nation was initially told by the Government that the teachers’ strike was illegal; the High Court ruled it was legal. Simultaneously with the accusation that the teachers were engaging in an illegal act, the Minister of Education accused the teachers of misappropriating the cash grants. The teachers provided explanations and evidence to the contrary. A pattern is emerging here to delegitimise and criminalise our public school teachers.
The regime is seeking to portray the teachers as lawless and violent to cover their social, economic, political, emotional and physical violence against them. The regime is deliberately setting a tone that would allow them to react to the teacher’s legitimate protest or right to protest with force or violence by giving the public the impression the teachers are criminal-minded and violent. This is not an accident.
Clearly it is not that the Government of Guyana cannot afford to pay better wages/salary to public servants. Never before has the country had this amount of money to take care of its citizens’ needs. We must ask what is driving this vendetta towards this section of society. The situation is even more egregious when compared to the regime’s heavy financial investment in the ailing sugar industry and the pronouncement of the court that the ministry never engaged the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) in collective bargaining.
The Government complains of learning loss. A World Bank Report stated Guyana’s education development lags behind its Latin American and Caribbean counterparts. In spite of these challenges the regime prefers our teachers to be out of the classroom rather than negotiate improved working conditions and remuneration packages that could enhance the delivery of education and equip our teachers and children to effectively function in the 21st Century oil and gas economy.
The statement by the regime that it cannot pay an interim increase has no merit. This nation would recall in 1999 when the public servants struck, a 25 % interim increase was paid to those workers.
In 1999 the National Budget was $2.97 Million and Guyana was subjected to a World Bank/IMF Structural Adjustment Programme. In 2024 the National Budget is $1.146 Trillion and this year Guyana is expected to earn US$2.4 Billion in oil revenue. Yet in 2024 the Jagdeo/Ali regime refuses to pay our 15, 000 public school teachers a 20 % interim increase until a new Collective Labour Agreement is put in place.
This is not an issue of money but that of political will or vindictiveness.
The teachers’ grievances are ours. They not only mould the minds of our children, but they co-parent with us, and are the custodians of our children for most of their waking hours during the school period.
Our teachers deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Their labour and sacrifices must be justly rewarded. They must be allowed to work in an environment conducive to learning and rewarding their service. The Government and People of Guyana can afford it.
All the teachers are asking we the people for is to stand in solidarity with them in their pursuit of a just cause. We can afford to give them that. Today the teachers have a burden to bear. Tomorrow it could be ours. Given the role of teachers in society and the intertwined relationship of our existence, in the face of growing disrespect by the regime for the ordinary Guyanese people we cannot afford not to rally behind the nation’s public school teachers.
