‘We are here for more money’ – Region Two teachers chant
Scores of teachers in Region Two continue to gather in front of the region’s Department of Education demanding an increase in their salaries.
The strike organised by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) entered its third day yesterday and attracted hundreds of teachers from across the region. Teachers came from as far as the Pomeroon River and Bethany to join in the strike action.
The striking teachers assembled under a newly built tent and where food was being cooked for them. Some teachers opted to stay way while others gathered together in solidarity with their union in demanding a raise in pay. In the crowd, head teachers from various schools were seen with placards.
Leading and representing the teachers was Senior Master Takurdeen Durga, who said that the strike continued for a third day because teachers need a better salary. He made it clear that the strike is not political and it is being undertaken to represent all workers. Durga stated that some teachers are earning below minimum wage and still have to go into their pockets to support the children they teach.
“Many times children come and don’t have money to go home, we have to give them. The children are with us for six hours and more and out of our meagre salary, we have to arrange transportation to get some of them home”, he said
He asserted that the strike is an example that everyone in the future will benefit from. Durga stated that teachers are asking for at least a 50 percent increase, one that will match the current cost of living in Guyana. He pointed out that at the moment, teachers’ salaries cannot afford them to live a better life since the cost of living is rising in Guyana.
“It is simple, Guyana cost of living is rising; we can’t just stick to such salary [as] items in the shop are raising every day and our salary cannot compensate us for living, we teachers need more”, he declared.
GTU Regional Vice President Rabbinauth Boodram, said that Region Two is standing alongside all the teachers in Guyana. He accused the Ministry of Education of supporting the children and not teachers.
“We are not here to protest the CEO [Chief Education Officer], he is doing a wonderful job. We are not against what the Ministry is doing, we are here because when we go to the supermarket to purchase basic things for our survival we can’t even afford them,” Boodram said.
Boodram noted that the strike is getting international support and persons are supporting the idea that teachers should get an increase. He referred to the 6.5 per cent increase as an embarrassment to teachers.
Omar Singh of 8th of May Primary, said he joined the strike action because he too believed that the Ministry of Education can offer teachers a better salary. He said that the Guyana Teachers Union is representing the teachers and as such he stands also with them.
Another teacher from Hampton Court Primary said that she chose not to go to school because she wants to support the industrial strike. She too is calling for an increase that will match the average cost of living in Guyana.
“I don’t see what is happening here is wrong. We are being real, we can’t survive in Guyana with the rising cost of living with a meagre salary. Why is it is so hard to understand? ” the teacher asked.