– urges them to cut wasteful spending of public funds
If Government cuts back on its exorbitant spending and end some of the corrupt contracts it currently has, then it would be able to pay increases to the country’s teachers’ without raising the current level of expenditure.
This is the firm view expressed by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo who told media operatives on Thursday at his weekly press conference that it is in the interest of Guyana that a new multi-year contract for teachers’ be secured. He said this avoids the hassle of negotiations on an annual basis.
“I believe that there is money to fund a lot of what the teachers have been asking for, without increasing overall expenditure in the budget,” he stated pointing firstly to a corrupt contract which costs the Government $170 million annually.
He was referring to the controversial Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, house used as a drug bond which is rented from a campaign supporter of the
People’s National Congress (PNC) for $14 million monthly.
The Opposition Leader reasoned that that sum could cover the request by teachers to increase clothing allowances from $8000 to $21,000. The task force set up by President David Granger has only recommended $16,000.
“So, I urge the President to address this matter urgently and I said to him, you have been stressing the importance of education and so now it is the time to address the teachers concern urgently,” he stated.
Jagdeo, a former President, said that if the Government had committed to creating such a task force, then it must adhere to its recommendations or findings. He said he has had a look at the report from the task force which did not recommend all that the teachers wanted. However, the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) is calling for these very recommendations to be implemented.
“I thought the report is very reasonable, in terms of affordability. And the teachers themselves have said that. And I’ve seen from the Union that 40 per cent was their starting point. I’ve also heard double digits for one year and a single digit for the remaining period of the agreement,” he recalled.
The Opposition Leader has debunked claims that the teachers and their union are acting unreasonable, stating that they have been waiting for three years to meet with Government. He therefore criticised Government for sensationalising the 40 per cent figure and not saying that teachers are prepared to accept lower.
In providing a further break down of how the demands of the teachers could be met, Jagdeo said he has even taken a look at the budget estimates to come up with how spending could be curtailed to facilitate the request.
In comparing seven items from the current expenditure column between 2014 and 2018, Jagdeo said there are enough monies that are being wasted that could be reduced and used to meet the demands.
He pointed to the celebration of national and other events, where in 2014 $477 million, while in 2018 $911 million has been budgeted. For dietary (food) this was $3.6 billion and in 2018 it is now $5.2 billion. The other category (operating expenses) showed that it was at $1.8 billion in 2014 and in 2018 $2.6 billion.
“If you add those three that’s $2.8 billion increase alone,” he pointed out.
Further, for travel, in 2014 it was $1.4 billion and it is now $2.1 billion. This indicates a growth of $732 million per annum. As for vehicle spares and service, in 2014, $853 million was budgeted but in 2018 it has moved up to $1.34 billion. Other transport and travel was $874 million in 2014 which has now gone to $1.3 billion. Rental of buildings in 2014 was $795 million and now $1.39 billion. This totals $2.2 billion.
“In these seven heads alone, we have increased expenditure of $5.1 billion. We could easily cut these and find money to pay the teachers wages and restore the one month allowance to the Discipline Forces, pay the debunching for the teachers, housing allowance, all of these things… just here,” he explained.
He continued, “But worst of it all, this Government has the gall to go out and talk about teachers being greedy and they want duty-free and all of that… when they without working a single day, they took a 50 per cent increase for themselves and their salaries have gone to close to $1 million per month.
They also have State vehicles and duty-free and go and lecture teachers.” Jagdeo said while he doesn’t agree with all the demands of the teachers, he feels they deserve to be treated respectfully.
