Peneux : “I don’t want to see ghosts during the day yet”

Education, Science and Culture Minister Robert Peneux on Tuesday pointed out that if the government gives into Wilgo Valies’ demand of giving teachers at the lowest level a gross salary of SRD 4,000, certain teachers will earn SRD 10,000. “I don’t want to see ghosts during the day yet,” Minister Peneux said at an information session on the revaluation program for high school teachers. Teachers from junior high schools were invited to the info session on Wednesday.

Council Advisor Eddy Jozefzoon on Tuesday explained that in the new situation (after implementation of the revaluation) all teachers will earn more than what they would have received maximum. A teacher who currently earns SRD 1,300 will first earn SRD 2,200 and eventually SRD 2,700. The calculation of the Teachers’ Association (BvL) indicates that a director at the AHKCO will receive a max gross salary of SRD 6,309 but the government’s calculation puts that figure at SRD 8,700 the permanent education bonus excluded. Jozefzoon pointed out that things must be studied thoroughly. He explained that the permanent education does not count for a pensionable salary. In the new situation/ wage system the permanent education will be included in the salary. The government will also add SRD 100 to the salary as a boost for purchasing power and a tax cut of SRD 75 on the salary. He pointed out that sometimes stories are being told that are not based on the facts. Minister Peneux explained that in the old situation teachers received all of the bonuses but that these are not added to the retirement pay. But the new wage system will be double beneficial to teachers. The pensionable salary will be higher than in the old situation and teacher will receive more money for working overtime. “Teachers who are considering retiring now do not have to work longer to get a higher pension as a result of the new wage system,” said Minister Peneux. Officials also pointed out that principals will not run a school for more than 5 years as they will be assigned to another school every 5 years. Teachers have to work 16 years to reach their maximum salary but the revaluation program will reduce this to 6 years.