Govt “actively” working on adjusting teachers’ salaries – VP Jagdeo

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has recently reassured that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is actively working on addressing the adjustment of teachers’ salaries as was done for other categories of public sector workers.
In late 2022, President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced salary increases for certain groups of public sector employees including healthcare workers and Disciplined Services members.

However, teachers were not in that category but the Government had promised to adjust their salaries.
When asked for an update on this at a press conference on Thursday, Vice President Jagdeo said this is being addressed but he could not give a timeline.
“I’m reluctant to give dates [for a deadline] because the [Government’s] agenda is heavy but it is something that is actively engaging the attention of the Government,” Jagdeo stated.
According to the Vice President, the salaries of those other categories of workers were addressed because they had major anomalies. He noted that they had to make appropriate adjustments to fix those issues that were lingering for a while.
“What we did in the adjustment last year, is we brought everybody on par… people with the same skills, in the same public sector, were earning different salaries,” he explained.
Nevertheless, Jagdeo posited that the Government is committed to similarly addressing the anomalies in teachers’ salary scales. He further noted that those teachers who are advancing themselves academically will be adequately compensated.
“We want our teachers to be trained. So, we’re moving to have all our teachers trained. And then there should be a salary gradation based on years of service and also on qualification. So, if someone takes the effort to get a Master’s and it’s recognised, they shouldn’t get the same salary as someone who has a first degree,” the Vice President stated.
Last November, President Ali announced that 8000 members of the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service, and the Guyana Defence Force would get salary increases that would amount to over $1 billion.
Then in December, the Head of State subsequently announced another $1.5 billion in salary increases for over 5000 healthcare workers ranging from 36.4 per cent to as much as 74.7 per cent pay hike.
These increases were in addition to the across-the-board eight per cent salary increase for all public servants that was retroactive to January 1, 2022. At the time, he had said further announcements would be made regarding specific categories of public sector employees, including teachers.
Back in January, President Ali was asked for an update on the salary adjustments for teachers and told reporters that it would be announced at an appropriate time. He reassured that government will not walk away from its commitment.
“Other categories [of public servants] are under examination and adjustments will be announced at the appropriate time… The day will come for teachers… Every category of worker will be addressed. We are starting from critical areas where there were a number of anomalies and that is how we are progressing,” the Head of State had related during a press conference.
The government has also maintained that it is focused on advancing the overall welfare of all citizens so that their quality of life improves. This includes ensuring that they enjoy homeownership, improved healthcare services, and adequate infrastructure and utilities, among other things.
“We’re working on a progressive plan to improve the overall welfare of every citizen…welfare is not only a matter of salary, whilst we understand the importance of salaries; it’s quality of life, quality of your healthcare, quality of infrastructure, the cost of your electricity, the cost of your water, the quality of your water,” President Ali had stated in December.
Meanwhile, only last, several senior Government officials including Education Minister Priya Manickchand met with the Executive of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) during which they discussed a number of issues including “salaries and non-salaries matters”.
While no definitive agreements were made at that engagement, a follow-up meeting is scheduled for May 17 between the two sides.