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The Opposition says the Coalition “stands firmly with the teachers of Guyana during this crucial time, as they intensify their efforts to get the government to meet their legitimate demands.” The statement by the Opposition Coalition comes after the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) launched a nationwide strike on February 5, 2024, over a number of outstanding issues with the Government of Guyana.
“We fully understand the challenges teachers are facing and are morally outraged by the injustices meted out to them by the current regime. Rest assured, we are committed to reversing all punitive measures instituted by the PPP/C and to ensuring that the rights and welfare of teachers are upheld and improved,” the Opposition has stated in its missive.
Among the issues the GTU listed for the grievances is the abandonment of the collective barging process, which it says the government has no respect for. The Opposition says in its statement, “We recognize the importance of collective bargaining and will respect the legitimate representation of teachers through the Guyana Teachers’ Union. It is unacceptable that the Ministry of Education has neglected the Union’s concerns and attempts to undermine the duly-elected representatives of teachers.”
The Ministry of Education recently took the decision to stop remitting teachers Union dues to the GTU as teachers proceeded on strike action. The Opposition says it is paying close attention to the ongoing industrial action taken by Guyana’s teachers. “We understand their fight for betterment through a multi-year agreement with the Ministry of Education. The behavior of Ministers Manickchand and Hamilton is anti-union and anti-working class. The PPP continues to disregard and trample on the human rights of teachers, students, parents, and other citizens.”
The Opposition assures teachers that upon assuming office, “we will prioritize their needs and ensure that the oil wealth reaches all Guyanese, including teachers. We are committed to restoring what was taken away from them. We see the improvement of working conditions and the well-being of teachers as one of our moral responsibilities.”
The Opposition notes that teachers’ dedication to educating the nation’s youth is invaluable and says it stands united and in solidarity with teachers in their pursuit of fairness and justice. “Together, we can make teaching a fulfilling and rewarding profession. Together, we can build an education system that is unmatched in the region.”
