The Education Ministry on Monday said it will be amassing the support of retired teachers and students of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) to fall into place in the event the strike action of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) continues into the commencement of the new school term on September 3.
Addressing parents and teachers in Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Monday, the Department of Public Information quoted the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Marcel Hutson as saying that the contingency plan by the Ministry will ensure that the strike action by the GTU has minimal impact on the students.
According to the CEO, there are currently 204 continuing students, 98 prospective graduates and a number of final year students at the CPCE.
Those, he said, will be utilised by the Ministry to fill the gap if the need arises. There are also monitors, coordinators and retired teachers that “we will be tapping into” along with the parents to assist in the process, the CEO disclosed.
Hutson assured parents that they need not worry about the affairs of their children should the GTU maintain its position on industrial action.
The Ministry is on a nationwide campaign to reach out to parents and teachers, recommitting the Government’s steadfast support to the education sector in the face of the current circumstance.
Education Minister Nicolette Henry reminded the teachers and parents of the talks that the Ministry has had with the GTU during this month to come to an agreement.
The Minister said schools will be opened on September 3 and urged parents to send their children out to school.
The GTU outrightly rejected Government’s request for teachers to agree to a debunching payoff of $200 million for 2018/19 and the $700 million cap that was placed on salary increases which was for 2018 only.
The Union is seeking 40 per cent salary increases for its 7000 members.
