By Saskia Warrick
Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo announced significant progress in recent negotiations between the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) during a press conference held yesterday.
The discussions, facilitated by the Labour Ministry earlier in the week, have shown promising developments towards resolving ongoing disputes.
According to reports from the union President, preliminary meetings ahead of the formal negotiations have set a constructive tone, potentially leading to compromises on several key issues.
Vice President Jagdeo confirmed advancements in the talks, which come after more than 60 days of strike action affecting the education sector.
However, Dr. Jagdeo reiterated the government’s stance on challenging a High Court ruling regarding the deduction of teachers’ salaries during the strike period.
He cited constitutional limitations, suggesting that while public servants have the right to strike, they are not entitled to full benefits during these periods.
In a bid to maintain dialogue and transparency, both parties have agreed to regular monthly meetings for collective bargaining moving forward, aiming to sustain momentum and address outstanding concerns.
The ongoing efforts signify a commitment from both the GTU and MOE to find equitable resolutions that support the interests of educators while ensuring the continuity of quality education across Guyana.