The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) may have found itself between a rock and a hard place over the recent appointment of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC).

On one hand, the GTU was concerned that the President was moving ahead with the appointments in the absence of consultations with the Leader of the Opposition, but on the other hand, it was also concerned that if the Commission was not reconstituted, the promotion of teachers would have been stalled even longer.

At an APNU Press Conference today, APNU Member of Parliament and GTU President, Coretta McDonald said the Union has a responsibility to its members.

“Of course we do have an issue with that but here is where the GTU finds itself in a very compromising position where our members again stand to lose because for the last three years, there have been no appointments,” McDonald said.

Longtime educator, Lancelot Baptiste was nominated by the GTU to return to the Commission. But in light of its concerns, the GTU, according to McDonald, wrote the Government to make its concerns known.

“We cautioned and we highlighted the fact that all of these things are happening without an opposition leader being in place but of course you know what this government would do. As long as you object, then this government would throw the blame card unto the other party to say teachers you know what your union they are not representing you, they don’t want you to be promoted,” McDonald said.

She said it was against that background Baptiste was given the green light.

Baptiste was among seven members appointed to the TSC on December 31 by President Irfaan Ali. Other commissioners include, Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain, Doodmattie Singh, Shafiran Bhajan, Joan Davis-Monkhouse, Satti Jaisieriisingh and Mayda Persaud. 

Worries that the Government has been breaching the Constitution, and is being aided by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir with his refusal to convene a meeting to elect an Opposition Leader, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) General Secretary, Sherwin Benjamin, said the political parties in the House should move to the Courts on the issue.

“The answer is simple and the answer to that question lies in the constitution of our country. It requires the government to honor the constitution to the letter and spirit. We need to need to ensure that we call the government to account. There is a requirement for calling the sitting of the National Assembly with the Opposition MPs in the presence of the Speaker, and an election should be done. So, that is what has to happen, failing which the affected parties should take the recourse to the court,” Benjamin told reporters today.

He said it is now two months since the 13^th Parliament was convened and to date there has not been another meeting.

At the press conference, Mr. Benjamin also challenged Guyanese to hold the Government accountable, warning that the rule of law, and the integrity of public institutions are being steadily eroded and weakened under the PPP/C administration.

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