Teaching Service Commission: APNU MP drags appointments to court, threatening disruption of teachers’ promotions, appointments

Member of Parliament (MP) of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Terrence Campbell is challenging the recent appointments of members of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC). Campbell on Tuesday filed a Fixed Date Application for Judicial Review and Constitutional Relief in the High Court of Guyana. On December 31, 2025, President Dr Irfaan Ali had sworn in seven members of the TSC. Doodmattie Singh, Shafiran Bhajan, Joan Davis-Monkhouse, Lancelot Baptiste, Satti Jaisierisingh, Mayda Persaud and Saddam Hussain were sworn in as members of the new TSC for the next three years. Singh, a veteran Guyanese educator, was appointed as Chair of the seven-member Commission.
However, Campbell is contending that the appointments were unconstitutional. In a statement, he said “as stipulated in Article 207 of our Constitution, the appointment of TSC members is to be conducted through a process that requires inter alia, meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. It is my firm belief, supported by legal advice, that the President’s appointment of three members to the TSC-despite the absence of an elected Leader of the Opposition, constitutes a grave misunderstanding of our constitutional framework.”

“The Constitution expressly requires that meaningful consultation must occur before any appointments are made under Article 207(2)(d). This critical requirement was unilaterally bypassed by the President, contravening the foundational principles that guide our democracy,” the APNU MP added. He also argued that the absence of a Leader of the Opposition does not provide the President with the authority to override or dispense with this constitutional safeguard.

Hinder promotions, appointments and retirements
In previously responding to criticisms over the TSC appointments, President Ali had contended that any delay would significantly hinder promotions, appointments, and retirements for thousands of teachers. “I don’t want a new term to start without having the Commission in place to make important decisions that would allow the quality of teaching to improve and also allow more opportunities,” Ali had told reporters following the swearing-in ceremony.
While Guyana’s Constitution (Article 207 (1)) provides for meaningful consultations with the Opposition Leader for members of the TSC, the President pointed out that the absence of an Opposition Leader does not mean constitutional bodies should remain inactive. “The work of the Government must continue. The work of the Constitution must continue,” the President had contended.

TSC
After taking the oath of office, the Head of State charged the Commission to prioritise filling some 2700 vacancies, including several new senior positions that were created to foster a more qualitative delivery of holistic education and facilitate faster upward mobility for teachers. This way he explained, teachers no longer have to wait until the end, towards the end of their careers, to become headteachers. The Head of State pointed out that these 823 senior positions created within the teaching service structure will facilitate the advancement of teachers’ careers.
The TSC is an independent constitutional body responsible for teacher appointments, promotions and disciplinary oversight established under the TSC Act of 1975.