Govt still deducting monies from hinterland teachers’ salaries

Despite Minister of State Joseph Harmon claiming otherwise, teachers in some parts of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and the hinterland are still being forced to pay 10 per cent of their salaries for housing, despite being seconded to those areas.
According to information reaching this publication, monies were deducted from the salaries of head teachers at several schools in Region Three, particularly at Upper Bonasika Primary, Sandhill Primary, Santa Mission Primary, Great Trollie Primary, Caria Caria Primary and San Souci Primary.
A source close to the teachers indicated that since the year started, monies were deducted from them for housing despite them being told otherwise.
“Once they come from the coast to the hinterland, there is supposed to be State accommodation provided unless teachers refuse the accommodation provided, they will have to pay the cost for wherever they choose to stay,” Harmon previously stated.
In a letter previously published by Guyana Times, it is alleged that the head teacher of Saxacalli Primary School was required to pay 10 per cent of his salary as rent for the teacher’s living quarters that he is temporarily occupying.
It was also highlighted that hinterland teachers would use their own computers and printers to complete tasks for the school without getting a stipend from the Government for using same. In some instances, the Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) is concerned that the aforementioned situation could lead to some teachers returning to the coastland.
As such, the PTA has called for the matter to be investigated and dealt with at once since it believes if teachers return to the coastland, it will add to the already fragile situation where the hinterland schools lack teachers.
Efforts to contact Region Three Regional Executive Officer, Dennis Jaikaran proved futile.