Teachers were on Tuesday night urged to become computer literate and to pursue tertiary studies in order to deliver the best quality of education possible to students.
The occasion was the opening ceremony of the first Biennial Delegates Conference of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), which was held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC). The conference, being held under the theme ‘Quality Education for Sustainable Development through Genuine Partnership’, will end tomorrow.
Despite the poor turnout – there were not enough delegates to full the first five rows of the NCC – calls for increased remuneration, corporal punishment to remain in schools, government to collaborate more with the union to ensure that teachers are motivated, among other issues, were met with loud applause.
Guyanese management consultant Aubrey Armstrong, a former trade unionist and educator and the re-elected president of the GTU Colwyn King delivered the main addresses on Tuesday night. They both called on the government to pay more attention to teachers so that adequate education could be delivered.
Armstrong in his address recalled some of the experiences he had while teaching in Guyana and paid some attention to corporal punishment and the disciplinary effect it had on students. He later issued a call for religion to be returned to the education system.Bread and water
Armstrong told the teachers that in their profession they will face many challenges but in spite of this they have to be focused and ensure that there is discipline in their classrooms. He added that teachers needed to find the energy and creativity to ensure that learning takes place.
“You have to ensure you are comfortable and not worrying about bread and water for the next day,” he said adding that they also have to teach students about change and how to deal with it. He implored the audience to ensure that students have knowledge of regional and national issues – both current and historical as this was very important for their progress in life.
Making specific reference to the union, Armstrong said that its vitality and sustainability were important and it had to look for ways and means to survive and not depend on the government all the time.
He stressed that there are many cultural issues which teachers face in the classroom and this was something that they have to learn to handle. He made several references to TV programmes which are giving children a taste of adulthood.
He pleaded with members of civil society to support the teaching profession adding that the union can do its part by providing leadership as well as setting standards for the profession and providing rewards.
Long-serving teachers, he added, must be encouraged to play a role in the union and resources must be made available for training programmes.
Despite the pressures of the system and the low wages he said they must continue to study so that they can prepare themselves to be leaders.
“You have to empower yourself … You have to adopt online skills,” he said adding that teachers need to develop good listening skills in order to be aware and understand what is going on in the streets.
He congratulated the GTU and the entire teaching fraternity in Guyana on the hosting of the conference.
Dues
King, while highlighting issues such as poor pay, uniform allowances and duty-free concessions, called on the nation to support teachers.
He said that over the last two years, the union has had its ups and downs but has done its best to deliver on its promises to the teachers.
However, King stressed that the issue of teachers not paying dues must be addressed since the union could not survive and undertake activities without money. He added that the union now has to look for business opportunities.
The GTU head spoke of the increase in the prices of food items and the impact of VAT, issues that were not present when the 2006 wage agreement was signed. These things, he said, were adversely affecting members and he called for efforts to be made to evaluate the 16% tax.
The National Insurance Scheme, King said, was another area of suffering for union members. He explained that members pay contributions but when they receive payments for benefits including survivor, maternity and spectacles, it is far below what they are suppose to be receiving.
Security at schools, he said, was another area of concern and needed to be addressed urgently. He recalled several cases where there were stabbings in schools and a student slapped a head teacher, adding that able-bodied and competent guards must be employed to secure schools.
The ministry’s no lessons in schools rule, sports and corporal punishment were other issues touched on by King.
During the four-hour-long opening ceremony the audience which included members of the trade union fraternity, Minister of Education Shaik Baksh, Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, were treated to messages, tributes to deceased members, songs, dances and a dramatic presentation.
During the ceremony, several persons received the Presidential Medal Award and Retired Officers’ Award.
The GTU’s last annual conference was held in 2006, at which time, because of the cost involved in transporting delegates from around the country, among other things, a decision was taken to hold it biennially.
