The PNCR is asking for an official explanation as to why the Acting Chief Education Officer, for the last five years, Genevieve Whyte-Nedd, could not be confirmed in her position, even if only for the purposes of computing her retirement benefits.

PNCR Executive member Lurlene Nestor, during the party’s press conference on Friday, said that the treatment of Whyte-Nedd, is another example of the type of discrimination that Guyanese have experienced under the PPP/C. She called on the government and Education Minister Shaik Baksh to provide official explanations.

“Recently, the PPP/C set a new precedent when they presented to the National Assembly, for approval , that the acting allowances for the Chief Justice would be used to compute his pension and other superannuation benefits,” she said. “This proposal was approved by the National Assembly for the Chief Justice who has not yet acted for four years in that position and is not about to retire,” she added.

Nestor said that Baksh, “instead of playing to the gallery about his concerns over this matter”,  should approach the Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, about having a similar bill taken to the National Assembly which would facilitate the computation of Whyte-Nedd’s benefits.  “The PNCR will fully support such legislation,” Nestor said.

Recently, the issue of Whyte-Nedd’s non-appointment spilled over into the court and Justice Franklin Holder issued an order calling on the Public Service Commission to show cause why the decision not to appoint someone should not be set aside.

Whyte-Nedd filed a motion in the High Court last month through her attorney, Nigel Hughes calling the decision not to fill the vacancy an unconstitutional one, and the order was subsequently granted. PSC commissioners, Ganga Persaud; Carvil Duncan; Cecil Seepersaud; Vera Naughton and Mr. Hope have since requested leave to file an affidavit in answer.

Appointment to the substantive position of Chief Education Officer falls under the purview of the PSC which is empowered under article 120 of the Constitution to make the appointment, but the life of the current commission came to an end on July 6, 2010. According to Whyte-Nedd, the commission met on this day but it took a decision not to fill the vacancy.

Whyte-Nedd, a veteran educator has since proceeded on pre-retirement leave, but her court application was filed prior to the notice of her leave being served. She alleges in court documents filed that the current PSC which was established in 2007, failed to fill the vacant post of CEO in the education sector, but that the commission considered and filled several other vacancies including that of Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary).