Strike to last until further notice

Teachers who are members of the Teachers’ Association (BvL) and the Alliance for Teachers in Suriname (ALS) on Tuesday attended a union meeting where they made it clear that they have run out of patience and that they will remain on strike until further notice. “They can do whatever they want but the teachers will not go to school until the revaluation program has been executed as directed by the judge,” said Wilgo Valies, chairman of the BvL and the ALS. The nation’s primary schools and junior high schools on Tuesday opened their doors again after the Easter vacation. Senior high schools officially started again on Wednesday. “A good conclusion of the school year depends on the government’s attitude,” said Valies. The teachers on Tuesday voted to go on strike and were instructed to attend another union meeting in Mata Gauri on Wednesday. The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture on Tuesday did not have a clear picture of how many schools were closed. “The government’s attitude has left teachers with no other choice than to protest fiercely,” said Valies who added that educators are fed up with the fact that they are not being taken seriously despite their positive attitudes and patience. The education unions and the government had agreed that the financial part of the revaluation program would have been fully implemented at the end of March. But the government reportedly only implemented it partially. Some teachers received their full revaluation while others received less than their usual salary or no extra money. The revaluation must apply to all educators even the ones who are stationed in school libraries. Valies made it clear that the teachers chose to become members of unions that do not hesitate to express their criticism. The government has to respect that and must discuss the revaluation program with union officials. The unions on Tuesday sent a letter to the government to inform it of the teachers’ decision. President Desi Bouterse recently stated that the recent strikes and rallies are driven by foreign nations. “We do not need foreign nations to fight for us. The people do not let themselves be fooled by the writer of scenarios. The president must not present distractions. He should focus on solving the nation’s problems,” said Valies.