GTU proposes 39.5% and 34% salary increase for teachers

As the Guyana Teachers’ Union gears up for a new round of negotiations with the Ministry of Education, it is proposing a 39.5% salary increase for teachers on Scales 1 to 3 for 2024 and an additional 30% for 2025 and 2026.

The Union is also pushing for other teachers within the public education sector, particularly those on Scales 4 to 19, to receive a salary increase of 35% for 2024, and additional 30% for 2025 and 2026.

The proposals have been put forward in a new proposed Memorandum of Agreement submitted to the Ministry of Education by the Teachers’ Union. It spans the years 2024-2026.

The Union has also proposed an additional performance-based incentive of 2% per annum, of the total Teachers’ Wage Bill to be paid to eligible teachers during the period of the multi-year agreement, with effect from January, 01, 2024.

It also includes an annual health/risk allowance of $25,000, and monthly internet/mobile data allowance of $10,000 to be paid to all teachers.

The Union also wants each school to be given a termly school’s transportation grant of $150,000 in the case of those operating on the coastland and $300,000 for hinterland/riverain schools or alternately a mode of transport (boat, ATV etc.) to offset the cost of teachers travelling to attend meetings, workshops, orientation sessions, or emergencies at school.

General Secretary of the Teachers’ Union, Coretta McDonald today told News Source that the first meeting, since the end of the nationwide-strike, was held last Thursday. However, the Education Ministry and the Union took a “bottom-up” approach, addressing a number of non-financial issues.

Non-salary issues include duty free concession for some 300 teachers, the provision of 100 scholarships, hinterland benefits, conditions for reemployment, housing and a number of welfare issues.

The Ministry of Education and GTU are expected to meet again on July 27, 2024.