During a press conference today, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, General Secretary of the PPP and Vice President of Guyana, criticized members of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) who have questioned the adequacy of the recently signed benefits package for teachers.
Jagdeo alleged that criticisms from some GTU members, including General Secretary Coretta McDonald, were politically motivated.
He claimed that these criticisms, echoing similar remarks from the APNU, were intended to disrupt and undermine the agreement, portraying the discontent as a political maneuver to create unrest among educators.
Jagdeo highlighted that the previous APNU administration failed to provide annual increases for teachers and did not ensure fair treatment in salary adjustments.
He compared the current administration’s allocations for teachers’ salaries with those of the previous government, asserting that the present approach is more favorable.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mark Lyte, a member of the GTU General Council, defended the union’s stance.
Lyte dismissed the accusations of collusion with the government, questioning how the union could be seen as aligned with the government while having actively challenged it in court and fought for teachers’ rights.
The debate continues as stakeholders evaluate the implications of the signed agreement and its impact on the teaching profession.