By Saskia Warrick
Amidst ongoing strike actions by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Education Minister Priya Manickchand has called for “good sense to prevail” to address the learning loss experienced by students.
The current impasse revolves around salary increases, with the GTU pressing for raises from 2019 to 2023, while the government is open to discussing salary adjustments from 2024 onwards.
This deadlock has resulted in a renewed strike by the GTU and teachers, disrupting classroom learning across the country.
To address this issue, the Ministry of Education has sought intervention from the Ministry of Labour, leading to conciliatory talks between the ministry and the union.
Minister Manickchand expressed her belief that the union may be influenced by political factors, leading them astray.
She highlighted the government’s efforts in fulfilling most of the proposals put forward, underscoring the need for fair negotiations.
Last week, the GTU decided to resume strike actions following a month-long disruption in February, further exacerbating the challenges faced by students and educators.
Today marked the second day of conciliation talks between the GTU and the Education Ministry, aiming to determine the negotiation period for both parties.
As the strike continues to impact educational activities, Minister Manickchand’s call for sensible resolution underscores the urgency of addressing the impasse to minimize further disruptions in the education sector.