GTU calls out MoE over “fallacious” details on exam decision

…says timing, format of exams “poor”

The Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) has condemned statements by the Education Ministry suggesting that the two entities were privy to consultations before examination dates were announced.

Union President Mark Lyte openly slammed the Ministry on Friday, noting that he did not attend any meeting to announce dates for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA); Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). As such, articles which state otherwise were labelled as “fallacious” and he requested that the Ministry provide proof.
“I am of the view that the Ministry of Education is grasping at straws as efforts are being made to justify the decision to have NGSA , CSEC and CAPE run off during July….MoE should produce their minutes to support the fabricated statements that the President of GTU attended any meeting to agree on dates for NGSA, CSEC and CAPE examination which they continue to peddle in the media,” the GTU said in a statement.
The GTU clarified that on April 8, it wrote the Ministry to highlight concerns relating to the CSEC and CAPE being slated for June and July, but there was no response for over three weeks. A second letter was written when rumours surfaced that schools would reopen in June, and the NGSA was to be written in July. Again, no formal response was given by the MoE.

After a third correspondence, the Ministry then extended an ‘informal’ invitation to a meeting, to the GTU officers via telephone. This was later convened on June 3, when the Chief Education Officer highlighted options for the examination dates.
Lyte added, “After the presentation, GTU was asked to share its concerns. As President, I indicated in a clear and profound way that GTU does not agree with the DATE set for NGSA, CSEC nor CAPE. Further, I stated the Union’s disapproval of the format for CSEC and CAPE.”
While being told that there would be many other consultations with other stakeholders, timetables were flouted two days later for the exams.
“Two days later, without any formal discussion as promised by MoE, dates and the timetable for NGSA were seen in the media, much to the surprise of the GTU. I write to say that the libellous release of the MoE which seeks to besmirch my character and create rift among officers and members of the GTU will not work,” he asserted.
The Union President voiced that they would be resolute in their position that the timing and format of these examinations are poor, coupled with the threat of COVID-19.
Just a few days ago, it was reported that a Region One (Barima-Waini) teacher tested positive for the virus. The representative body said that there were unconfirmed reports of two other teachers testing positive from the region – a situation which will be verified.
However, at this time, it maintained that if ‘proper’ consultations were carried out or consideration was given to the Union’s position for examinations to be done in September, all teachers would have been encouraged to turn out to work and do what “we do best”.
“As President of the GTU, I will not be drawn into any back and forth with MoE, but hope that mutual respect be upheld…The GTU is here to stay and will unequivocally represent our teachers at all times.”