Guyana’s President David Granger says his administration does not want a confrontation with teachers who are planning to embark on industrial action that could disrupt the opening of the new school term in September.
Granger insisted that the coalition government cannot afford to pay more money to teachers and urged them to reconsider their position.
“The Minister of Education is working towards an agreement. We don’t want a confrontation, we don’t want a clash. We value the service of teachers,” Granger said.
Following talks with Education Minister Nicolette Henry last Thursday President of the Guyana Teachers Union, Mark Lyte, said that the union is maintaining its position and that teachers would begin their industrial action on August 27.
He said the government is holding firm to its position to offer 700 million Guyana dollars to cover across the board increases and 200 million Guyana dollars to cover debunching.
The union said it is still pressing its demand for a 40 per cent wage hike for teachers.
