BY WHITNEY PERSAUD
Education Minister Priya Manickchand on Tuesday said Guyana enjoys a good standing in the world as it relates to number of trained teachers. She was speaking at a Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT& T) award ceremony for teachers held at the National Library. Manickchand said the government has always made teachers training a priority.
In addition to this, she said teachers across Guyana are now receiving additional benefits as incentives for their onerous task of upping the education standards in Guyana.
Over the last five years, there have been increases in benefits as well as increases in teachers’ salaries following good conversations between the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and the government.
After the GTU’s hard batting on teachers’ behalf, they are now enjoying free scholarships, housing funds, duty-free concession, training and uniform allowances, among many others benefits.
Assurance
According to Manickchand, government will continue to support teachers. “Thirty teachers can enjoy scholarships to go to the UG… we have Gy$ 40 million deposited by government into a fund for teachers’ housing and we have more than 100 duty-free concessions that allow for teachers to own their own transportation,” Manikchand said.
The minister said duty free concessions are not only for teachers to own cars but also for those desirous of getting their own boats or ATVs, depending on the region in which they reside.
“We have also been supporting teachers by giving ongoing training through NCERD and as well as overseas scholarships,” she added.
Manickchand said universally, there is a call for more trained teachers and Guyana has been on track.
GT& T Chief Executive Officer Radha Krishna Sharma said the company has recognised teachers as an integral part of relationship-building and the company remains committed to them.
He said the company has extended its services, offering more than 8000 teachers membership to its products.
He said GT& T has allotted millions of dollars in free minutes to teachers over the past two years and will strengthen the relationship.
“Under my CEOship, we will continue to strengthen this relationship,” he added. Sharma said that within weeks, the company will also be moving to formalise a Memorandum of Understanding with the GTU to give further support to teachers.
The telephone giant on Tuesday awarded 26 teachers for their outstanding performance and hard work over the years. The teachers were given a plaque of appreciation and Gy$ 5000 worth of phone credit.
