Latest update April 17th, 2025 6:18 AM
Another mass exodus of teachers looms …“I can’t say I am not worried”- Education Minister
In the worst case scenario, teachers will be leaving in droves in the next few months in response to a call by Botswana for trained individuals to service that country’s education system.
This is according to President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, Colwyn King, who said that the country needs to recognize the role of teachers and make adequate provisions.
He also said that in the same vein, if the figures of the Education Ministry were correct, then it might be a blessing in disguise.
King was speaking to the point raised by the Ministry that there were too many teachers in the system.
He differed, however, noting that every day there are advertisements in the media for teachers in various schools.
King added that escalating cost of living was a global phenomenon but other countries seem better able to put things in place to ensure the survival of its most valuable asset which is Human Resources.
Minister of Education Shaik Baksh held a different point of view from King however.
According to the Minister, there are several incentives in place to keep teachers such as pay increases and duty free concessions among others.
He added that following the previous exodus, many of the teachers had returned to Guyana given that the conditions in Botswana were less than desired.
He noted, too, that the Ministry would be monitoring the situation. “I can’t say that I am not worried.”
There is an advertisement currently in the media for in excess of 150 trained personnel. The subject areas include Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Electrical and Civil Engineers, among others.
The salary scales advertised range from US$14,000 to US$28,000.
Among the other benefits as advertised are gratuity of 25 per cent at the end of first contract (24 to 36 months), 27.5 per cent at the end of second contract and 30 per cent at end of third and subsequent contracts; highly subsidised housing with basic furniture, free medical coverage for applicant and family, and free passage from point of departure to Botswana for the appointed person, his/her children, spouse and three children under the age of 19 years.
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