Dear Editor,
Every government official, including those in highest office, owes his or her success to the efforts of teachers in many locations in the Republic. So, what is this talk about doing ‘something’ for teachers? The ‘something’ is an offensive equivalent to ‘run some bread’. Teachers are smart and self-respecting enough to know that the grovelling implied by ‘something’ demeans their profession and minimizes their effort. ‘Something’ is unacademic, vague and lame! What is this developmental stubbornness that Guyana displays? The country is no longer hand to mouth. Guyana has vast wealth.
The authorities must not wait on begging, shouting, pleading, placarding and public complaints and exodus to bring just change. Teachers will and must play a vital role in preserving the culture and traditions of Guyana, as it goes under stress from an influx of foreign cultures, which can destroy the fragile national fabric. Guyanese teachers will preserve love of nation, identity of nationals, and teach the dignity that goes with these. These are urgent needs in a nation which is being led by elected officials, some of whom may be very tempted to lose an awareness of their own national and cultural identity. They develop the devastating weakness of having a gratitude based on nothing. They become unable to say ‘no’, not here’.
The care and financial support of teachers should be highly prioritized as befits their importance as nation builders. The powers that be should be coming to the teachers to offer packages for salary increases, ownership of homes, travel, health insurance including care of eyes and teeth. Transportation, provision of technology and special arrangements for holidays. These packages must be generous to match the dependence which the nation will have on the role of schools in preserving national identity. The packages should be of the kind and quality that teachers are moved to express thanks for not disappointment. They can do without the disappointment. They had enough of that in the pre-oil and gas years.
If the Republic does not celebrate the presence of teachers, the rot of subservience will destroy the nation. Guyanese will become strangers in their own land. Gated communities will flourish exemplifying scorn for local society. These enclave settlements will prove to Guyanese that they are not social equals to the foreigner who comes to take their wealth. The pity is that many Guyanese in high places will welcome them on bended knee. They will not see private expressions or hear private conversations and laughter about their gullibility. Teachers are of vital importance so that rural and local communities can be warned and strengthened against the ills that tourism brings. Check other countries if you think that tourism is only about flaunting flora and fauna.
Teachers are needed to pass on the culture, to make Guyanese proud to be Guyanese, to teach a critical awareness that makes the nation impervious to the wiles of investors who insult their intelligence while they take what they own. The nation has to be educated to manage the huge change that is taking place. The schools can play an invaluable role in managing such change. Therefore, the powers that be need to be ashamed of making teachers beg. Teachers are too valuable a developmental resource to be constantly stressed by their poor standard of living. Ask for a wish list from the Union. Go further and ask for a wish list from all staff members even in far flung schools. Sort and compile data and begin a revolution such as the nation has never seen, nor the Caribbean.
Teaching is a vital service especially now when the country is experiencing industrial expansion. Applaud teachers. Be generous to them. Minginess in a time of prosperity is despicable. What will be the nail in the coffin of the Guyana teaching service is if Guyana begins to import teachers and give them all that Guyana teachers never had. The disillusionment will be immeasurable as local teachers watch the foreign ones enjoy lucrative pay and high standards of living. The damage to a small nation from widespread foreign teaching and attendant attitudes will also be great. Is this what Guyana wants?
Offer hard to refuse customized packages to local teachers. Re-employ those who have left even if only on contract basis. Guyana has vast quantities of oil and gas. No need to beg. Guyana can afford to make teachers prosperous and satisfied. Pay them well and monitor for high performance. Do not forget past teachers. Increase pensions and do them honour. They were the bridges you crossed! Finally, if teachers embarrass themselves by unresearched and frivolous recommendations then ‘crappo smoke yuh pipe’! Is you to ketch! Be vigilant!
Sincerely,
Gabriella Rodriguez
