The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Local Government today announced that teachers who are currently involved in the ongoing strike action will not be paid for the days spent outside of the classroom. 

The strike by teachers moved into its sixth day today, with the Government still not answering the call to return to the negotiating table, and meet with the union that represents the teachers.

In a joint statement, the Ministry of Education and the Local Government Ministry indicated that a list of teachers from all eleven Education Districts, who have not been reporting for duty, has been submitted.

The Ministries said they have taken note of the teachers who have been absent from school without authorized leave approval or permission. 

The Ministries explained that because teachers were not authorized to be away from their classrooms, their absence constitutes a breach of their conditions of service and their statutory duties, and therefore attracts legal sanctions. 

The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Local Government said teachers will not be paid for the days that they were absent from the school without authorization.

Last week, some schools reported that Police Officers were visiting schools demanding a list of absent teachers.

The protesting teachers intend to continue with their strike action.

In response to the statement from the Education and Local Government Ministries, the Guyana Teachers’ Union said the move is illegal and the union will take legal action on the issue.

The GTU believes that the move to deduct money from the salaries of teachers for the strike action, is part of the Government’s plan to intimidate the striking teachers.

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