The Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) did not respond to two requests for its input on the teacher vacancy list for the 2012, according to Chief Education Officer Olato Sam.
In a letter to GTU President Colin Bynoe, prompted by the union’s claim that it was not consulted before the teaching vacancy list was published, Sam said it was “untrue” to accuse the Education Ministry and the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) of doing their own thing in relation to the criteria to be used for the vacancies without first consulting or meeting the GTU formally.
In an interview with this newspaper, Bynoe said the vacancy list was rife “with lots of problems” because it advertised positions were already substantively filled. “…You have positions that were not advertised that should be advertised. Also there were changes to the criteria without first consulting or having the customary meeting with the GTU,” he contended.
Bynoe said that the TSC was working to fix the problem. “Where we are is the Teaching Service Commission is right now willing to take in all the anomalies that we have identified so as to prepare an addendum and we are in the process of collecting that from our representatives from across the country, but we still have a problem with the criteria they would have changed, without first consulting with us,” he explained.
He noted that the “GTU General secretary spoke to the Secretary of TSC who already said that he is willing to accept those anomalies so that he can correct the vacancy list but the criteria, the criteria is what he did not give us a response on and she said she did not get out of him yesterday but we will be calling him.”
He added, “The criteria is supposed to be put together by the GTU and the Ministry of Education sitting together and agreeing on a criteria. Until that is done, we at the GTU will not accept the present criteria that they have got, because it is the third year and it seems as if the Ministry of Education/Teaching Service Commission is wanting to foist something on us without first having the consultation we will not accept that.”
When contacted for further comment, Sam explained that he would not comment until he met with the GTU.
However, a source within the TSC showed Stabroek News a copy of the letter sent to Bynoe, in which Sam stated he wanted to “set the record straight.” In that letter, Sam said that he was expressing deep concern at matters “which are particularly troubling” and “completely baseless.”
Sam, in the letter, dismissed statements made by the GTU that it was never consulted on the criteria for promotion published. He reminded the GTU that the TSC, through the acting secretary at the time Sophia Hunte, provided the GTU with criteria on December 16, last year, asking for its comments. However no correspondence was received pertaining to the matter. Subsequently another letter was sent referencing the earlier letter. It read: “Pertinent to the subject at caption (2012 Criteria), the Teaching Service Commission hereby requests your comments on the proposed criteria for making appointments to senior posts in schools, 2012, by 16th January, 2012, in order to facilitate the process of making senior promotions for 2012.” This letter was signed by TSC secretary Pulandar Kandhi.
Sam, in his letter, also pointed out that GTU’s representative stated that he personally delivered the letter to the Guyana Teacher’s Union Office in December 2011. Further, he noted that that GTU’s nominee on the TSC represents the union and the individual was present at the meeting where the Ministry of Education presented its comments and recommendations regarding the draft criteria.
Moreover, he said that the representative would have also known that the TSC developed and circulated its schedule, in relation to dates for submission, publishing and all processes related to senior promotions.
Further, Sam noted that his duties include forwarding a list of senior vacancies to the TSC in January of every year. He added that he liaisons with Assistant Chief Education Officers as they compile the vacancy list for the next academic school year.
However, he said that for a number of reasons, every year there are anomalies and as a result the ministry was working on ironing them out, so as to better the process. The GTU, as a key stakeholder, Sam added, is always welcomed to contribute in bettering the professional experience of teachers. But he reminded Bynoe that the GTU should forward any informative anomaly directly to the office of the CEO first, before placing issues in the public domain, as they both work to build and remain committed to the spirit of cooperation.
