Student union will not join teacher strike

The National Student Union on Tuesday decided not to support the teacher strike. “The decision was made at an emergency meeting in the afternoon,” said Edgar Sampi, chairman of the student union. The student union on Tuesday urged students and pupils to go to school. Sampi explained that he does not believe that supporting the strike of the Teachers’ Association (BvL) and the Alliance of Teachers in Suriname (ALS) will result in a speedy solution. “The student bodies from various high schools on Tuesday indicated that they do not see the point of joining the teachers,” said Sampi. The student bodies will reportedly focus on mobilizing as many students as possible and to put together self study groups. The National Student Union is therefore urging students to show up at their schools and to help each other collectively. “Students who are good at certain subjects can tutor the other students,” said Sampi. The union will reportedly visit various schools to encourage students to do their best. The chairman pointed out that the union’s decision does not mean that the students are against the teacher strike. The student union made it clear that it wants the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture to find a solution fast. “Especially given the fact that the internal examinations at the high schools have been postponed,” said Sampi.