Valies looks forward to talks with government

Wilgo Valies, chairman of the Teachers’ Association (BvL) and the Alliance for Teachers in Suriname (ALS), is looking forward to talks with the government. Education, Science and Culture Minister Robert Peneux recently announced that the problems surrounding the financial part of the revaluation program will be solved and that he is open for dialogue with the BvL and ALS. Parties reportedly did not meet on Wednesday. Teachers who are on strike on Wednesday were once again summoned to yet another union meeting which was held the next day. The teachers who are on strike did not report to their stations after the Easter vacation and will reportedly attend union meetings until the government has executed the revaluation program entirely and without any mistakes.

Valies pointed out that the government has made a big mess of the revaluation. “Teachers are looking forward to returning to their workstations because they deem children important. But educators are not willing to show up at work under the current conditions, even if the government were to make a new promise or urge them to cooperate. Teachers have been very patient and are no longer planning on waiting any longer just to be confronted with more delays.” The union chairman explained that there is a crisis of confidence which is why the teachers are persistently demanding that the government should fulfill its promise before they return to school. “The success of this school year depends entirely on the government.” Teachers who are stationed in the hinterland and who face bigger challenges are reportedly desperate because they lack teaching material, clean potable water, good sanitary facilities and proper utilities. They also complained about not having proper housing. The unions have already sent a letter to the government to explain why the teachers are on strike but it still has not received any response.