Guyana Teachers’ Union Reaches Agreement with Ministry of Education
Three-Year Salary Increase and Non-Salary Benefits for Teachers
The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) has announced that it has reached an agreement with the Ministry of Education for a three-year salary increase that includes several non-salary benefits for teachers.
According to the agreement, the salary increases will be 10 percent this year, 8 percent in 2025, and 9 percent the following year. The non-salary benefits include allowances, duty-free concessions, housing, revolving fund, scholarships, clothing allowance, health coverage, hinterland, and riverain benefits, opening up of new positions for teachers on the salary scale, and reemployment incentives among others.
Agreement Reached After Months of Talks
The agreement comes after months of talks between the GTU and the Ministry of Education. The GTU Council instructed the General executives to accept the salary and non-salary package offered by the Ministry of Education, and the agreement was signed by GTU President Dr. Mark Lyte and the second Vice President, Julian Cambridge, along with Shannielle Hoosein—Outar, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, and Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain.
Education Minister Congratulates Parties
Education Minister Priya Manickchand congratulated the Guyana Teachers Union and the Government of Guyana, represented by the Ministry of Education, for sensibly and civilly reaching an agreement that covers teacher benefits from 2024 to 2026.
Background
The GTU has been demanding a 39.5 percent increase for this year and 30 percent for the following two years. However, the union said that the government is offering 10 percent for this year, eight percent in 2025, and nine percent in 2026.
Earlier this year, thousands of teachers participated in a 75-day strike to demand collective bargaining for financial matters. The High Court later ruled in favor of the union, and the Guyana Court of Appeal is yet to hear the government’s appeal.
Conclusion
The agreement between the GTU and the Ministry of Education is a significant step forward in resolving the long-standing dispute over teacher salaries and benefits. The three-year salary increase and non-salary benefits will provide additional support for teachers in their professional growth and personal and family lives.
FAQs
Q: What is the salary increase for teachers?
A: The salary increase will be 10 percent this year, 8 percent in 2025, and 9 percent the following year.
Q: What are the non-salary benefits included in the agreement?
A: The non-salary benefits include allowances, duty-free concessions, housing, revolving fund, scholarships, clothing allowance, health coverage, hinterland, and riverain benefits, opening up of new positions for teachers on the salary scale, and reemployment incentives among others.
Q: How long did the talks between the GTU and the Ministry of Education take?
A: The talks took months to reach an agreement.
Q: What was the outcome of the 75-day strike by teachers?
A: The High Court ruled in favor of the union, and the Guyana Court of Appeal is yet to hear the government’s appeal.