Duty-free concession for 100 teachers, UG scholarships – Education Minister

Some 100 teachers across the country will be benefitting from duty-free concessions in the near future, Education Minister Priya Manickchand announced on Friday.
This concession, issued by Government, will allow them to acquire their own vehicles without any duty commitments to be paid, thereby lowering the overall cost significantly.

Manickchand assured that conditions and benefits for teachers will continue to improve, as she also announced several scholarships that will be granted for them to study at the University of Guyana.
“Your conditions will continue to get better. Within the course of this week, 100 teachers will receive their duty-free concessions where they can buy vehicles duty-free. And several teachers are going to receive scholarships to be able to go to the University of Guyana,” the Education Minister communicated.
Overall, it was highlighted that hundreds of educators are engaged in free scholarship, offered through the GOAL programme. And this week, the eight per cent increase in salaries for public servants announced by President Irfaan Ali will also trickle down to those employed in the education system.

“Currently, more than 1200 teachers are training for free on the GOAL scholarships, either Master’s or PhDs. We’re trying very hard. There’s an eight per cent increase [in salaries] just announced by the President.”
She added, “There’s nothing wrong with wanting more for your personal pocket but we must not short-change the children who are before us in our classrooms because somebody somewhere is telling you that things aren’t great in your package.”
There are different criteria for which teachers can benefit from duty-free concessions.
Criterion A includes all Heads or Principals and Deputy Heads or Deputy Principals of Grades ‘A’ and ‘B’ institutions, immediately on appointment with three (3) years remaining before retirement.
Criterion B covers Head Teachers or Administrators of Grades ‘C’, ‘D’ and ‘E’ institutions after three years in their appointment with three (3) years remaining before retirement.
Criteria C is for all Senior Masters or Mistresses and Heads of Departments of all schools and Lecturer II of CPCE, Technical, or Craft Institutions after six years in the same position after their appointment. These persons and must have at least three years remaining before retirement.
In 2021, a decision was taken to have the scholarship and duty-free concessions for teachers initiative managed by the Education Ministry. This came amid threats hurled against teachers, threatening the revocation of their scholarships.
The Government through the Education Ministry had established a facility along with the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) to offer 50 scholarships and 100 duty-free concessions to the nation’s teachers. This programme was intended to assist and further serve teachers and provide them with additional benefits as they continue to provide excellent service to the educational system. (G12)