US-based Guyanese professor to chair teachers’ arbitration panel
The Ministry of Social Protection yesterday said it has appointed US-based Guyanese Dr. Leyland Lucas as Chairman for the Arbitration Panel for the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU). Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott, described Dr. Lucas as “above board”. He said opined that he is the right person to settle the disagreement between the Education Ministry and the Teachers’ Union.
“We have been able to choose somebody who will be acceptable to not only the two bodies but to all of Guyana,” Minister Scott said.
According to his biography, Dr. Lucas is the Dean of the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI), University of Guyana. He is an Associate Professor at Morgan State University, Maryland, USA. He has authored and co-authored several national and international publications and has an active association with different societies and academies around the world. His major research interest involves Business, Accounts and Finance.
Minister Scott reminded that the law allows for Ministry of Social Protection to appoint the Chairman of the panel in the event the two sides could not agree on the respective nominees.
The Ministry stepped in to name a chairman after the Education Ministry and Teachers’ Union failed to accept each other’s nomination last week.
“Those acts of appointing the chairman are placed squarely, after the breakdown of the two sides, in the province of the Ministry of Social Protection. It’s not a question of acceptance or rejection. We have gone ahead, acted in accordance with the law and we have chosen the person who in our opinion happens to be the best.” According to Minister Scott, the government wants only what is best for both teachers and students. He said there is no need for an industrial unrest at this time. Meanwhile, the GTU has asked for some time to do some “background checks” on Dr. Lucas.
(Kaieteur News)