President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) Mark Lyte on Thursday said the relationship between his union and the Education Ministry (MoE) has improved tremendously and has credited the leadership of the MoE for this new disposition.
Lyte noted that although the relationship has improved, there are still issues to be addressed by the Union and the MoE. It is against this backdrop that he advocated for a closer cordial relationship between the MoE and the GTU.
The union President said the union remains committed as a partner in the education process. “We understand our role here in Guyana. Our children’s future lies squarely at the feet of the teachers and the MoE”.
Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration) (left) seated next to GTU President Mark Lyte who participated in the REDOs retreat
During a presentation at the Regional Education Officers retreat in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) in Madhia, Lyte said that being invited to present at the forum is testimony to the improved relationship between his body and the Education Ministry.
During his presentation to REDOs, an educator himself, Lyte said “your goals for education in the various regions/education districts cannot be achieved without the teachers you manage”. It was at this juncture that the GTU President said the ‘we vs you’ relationship that previously existed between the GTU and the MoE has no business in the education system.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration) Ingrid Trotman said that it is now a policy of the MoE to have GTU officers present at functions hosted by the Ministry. She said this is important since the GTU plays a very important role in the education delivery process.
Trotman also revealed that her Ministry will ensure that monthly meetings with the GTU and her body are held so that there can be information sharing between the two parties so that the children benefit in a meaningful way.
