GINA | GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AGENCY

Teacher salary increases significant in the last ten years.

A GINA Feature

For the past eleven years, teachers' salaries have been significantly increased and better working conditions have been provided for the nation's teachers. This is consistent with the Government's emphasis on the education sector. In 1992, $1.1 B was allocated to the sector. This year, $14.5B was allocated.

Improved teachers' pay and benefits

In 1992, teacher salaries were very low with some receiving $3,100.00. Prior to that, $382 was the teacher's salary in 1985.The present sum of $22, 099 for the lowest paid teacher shows that the increase over the past ten years is over 600%.

In 1994, teachers received a 100% salary increase across the board, less than two years after the present administration took office. The salary increase in that year created a significant anomaly, since Public Servants salaries under the Public Service Commission, had remained the same. That is to say, problems arose, because in some instances, teachers employed by the Teaching Service Commission were earning more attractive salaries than their counterparts in the Public Service who held similar qualifications. In some cases, many teachers were earning more than their supervisors. Government recognized that measures needed to be put in place therefore, to rectify this anomaly, to ensure that all were satisfied with what they earned, including the Public Servants. In the years following, several general increases were made across- the-board to benefit all parties involved. However, this meant that teachers' salaries were still higher than some public servants with similar qualifications.

Teacher Salary Increases since 1992

Status	1992 $	Salary in 2003 $	% of increase over the period 1992-2003
Acting teacher	3,100	22,099	613
Temporary qualified master II	4,250	25,038	489
Temporary qualified master I	5,012	40,320	705
Trained CLI, GRI master	6,000	40,320	572
Senior assistant master (non-grad.)	6,600	47,004	612
Senior assistant master (grad)	8,100	68,371	744
Untrained graduate	7,200	55,726	674
Trained graduate	7,500	62,291	731
Senior master/ Head of Department (non-grad.	6,800	53,937	693
Senior Master/ Head of Department (grad)	8,200	74, 448	808
Deputy Headmaster (grade B) non grad.	7,400	56,976	669
Deputy Headmaster (grade B), grad.	8,500	77,486	812
Deputy Headmaster (grade A) non grad.	8,000	65,053	713
Deputy Headmaster (grade A) grad.	8,900	83,565	839
Headmaster (grade B) non grad.	9,000	71,411	694
Headmaster (grade B) grad.	10,900	92,677	750
Headmaster (Grade A) non grad	9,600	77,486	707
Headmaster (Grade A) grad.	12,200	98, 747	709

Besides salary increases, teachers receive a number of benefits, including seven days per year special leave for Headteachers, 28 days departmental leave and one month's Whitley Council leave after a term of four years. They also receive vacation allowance, equivalent to one month's salary. Teachers in training are given time-off to attend the Cyril Potter College of Education( CPCE) while in service Othersd are given time-off to attend the University of Guyana with full salary, as well as 13 weeks vacation time per year with pay. A monthly stipend is also given to those attending CPCE for pre-service.

Teachers' children writing the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Examinations are given subsidies, while Government has ensured over the years that there are improvements in the teaching environment. New schools have been built, school equipment provided and allowances for teachers who gain additional qualifications.

Government has ensured that teachers are continuously trained and more in-service training centres were extended to Rose Hall, Vreed-en-Hoop, Anna Regina and New Amsterdam .

What is happening now?

At the beginning of 2004, the GTU put forward a proposal for increased salaries for teachers. The union requested that the lowest category of teachers( junior teachers, teacher aides and acting teachers) should be given a 5 % increase, 10 % for the category of teachers above that level and 15% for trained teachers throughout the remainder of the scale.

Several meetings were held between the two parties to this regard, and the Ministry proposed a 3% increase based on affordability and sustainability. The proposal was rejected and negotiations moved to the conciliation level with the Ministry of Labour intervening.

This week, another meeting between the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) to negotiate salary increases for teachers took place at the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations Department on Brickdam with Chief Labour Officer, Mohamed Akeel chairing the proceedings. .

The proposal of 3% was again rejected by the union, and a request was made for talks to move to the conciliation level. More negotiations took place with the Ministry explaining that it could not afford more. Minister of Education, Henry Jeffrey explained that the GTU needs to take into consideration that Government has to allocate funds for teachers being promoted as well as new ones entering the field.

Government's continued commitment

Last year, teachers were given a 5% increase in salaries and Minister of Education, Henry Jeffrey had noted that it is what Government could afford.

To date, teachers' salaries compare favourably with public servants salaries, even though the salary scale for teachers shows that some still receive more than Public Servants.

At the last meeting between the Ministry of Education and the GTU, Permanent Secretary, Ganga Persaud has said that the Ministry is open to further talks but that Government is maintaining that the amount that it can afford presently, is 3%.

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