Teacher and Member of Parliament (MP) Jermaine Figueira finds no humour in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) mockery of the nation’s public-school teachers.
In a letter to the Editor, the MP makes clear, “the portrayal of teachers’ issues, particularly their demand for better salaries, benefits and collective bargaining rights, as mere fodder for political satire in a skit performed by members of the government’s political party’s at their recently concluded congress is not only disturbing and disrespectful but also highlights a profound lack of understanding and appreciation for the gravity of the situation.”
Last weekend at the party’s 32nd congress party members re-enacted the teachers’ 29-day strike of February 5- March 4, 2024. Evidently, from the re-enactment the skit, it was not government’s intent to bring understanding to the cause of the strike but to ridicule the teachers for exercising a constitutionally protected right, in their effort to bring the government to the negotiation table.
Since August 2020 the Guyana Teachers Union submitted a multi-year proposal to the Government to address increase wages/salary and improve working conditions. The government’s failure to address this proposal, which was submitted yearly, forced the teachers to take strike action.
Collective bargaining, he reminds the government, is not a threat to governance but a cornerstone of democracy, ensuring that the voices of our workers are heard, and their rights upheld. Article 147 of the Constitution of Guyana protects the right of workers to join a trade union of choice, their union to engage in collective bargaining, and the workers’ right to strike.
Addressing the disregard for workplace democracy, Figueira blasts the government for ignoring that in a functioning democracy, the relationship between government and its citizens should be one of mutual respect, especially when it comes to addressing the concerns of vital professions such as teaching and nursing.
The public-school teacher notes, that moreover as a teacher, it would be remiss of him not to express disdain at recent events which have brought to light a disturbing trend of disregard and mockery towards the legitimate grievances of his fellow educators.
He goes further to make known the teaching fraternity, most will agree, plays an indispensable and profound role in shaping the future of our nation. “Educators are entrusted with the noble task of nurturing young minds, imparting knowledge, and instilling values that will guide future generations.” Yet, despite their pivotal role, teachers often find themselves undervalued, overworked, and underappreciated, he bemoans.
The teachers have since signalled their intent to resume strike action.
See Jermaine Figueira letter below:
In a functioning democracy, the relationship between government and its citizens should be one of mutual respect, especially when it comes to addressing the concerns of vital professions such as teaching and nursing.
It is in this regard and moreover as a teacher it would be remiss of me not to express my disdain at the recent events which have brought to light a disturbing trend of disregard and mockery towards the legitimate grievances of my fellow educators.
The portrayal of teachers’ issues, particularly their demand for better salaries, benefits and collective bargaining rights, as mere fodder for political satire in a skit performed by members of the government’s political party’s at their recently concluded congress is not only disturbing and disrespectful but also highlights a profound lack of understanding and appreciation for the gravity of the situation.
The teaching fraternity most will agree, plays an indispensable and profound role in shaping the future of our nation. Educators are entrusted with the noble task of nurturing young minds, imparting knowledge, and instilling values that will guide future generations. Yet, despite their pivotal role, teachers often find themselves undervalued, overworked, and underappreciated.
The call for collective bargaining rights by the teachers union during their strike action is not a frivolous demand but a fundamental necessity to ensure fair treatment, adequate compensation, and a conducive working environment for our teachers.
The decision directly or indirectly, wittingly, or unwittingly to mock the teachers’ strike in a political skit, demonstrates a callous disregard, and gross disrespect for the struggles faced by educators on a daily basis. The act to conjure up laughter only succeeded to belittle our teachers legitimate concerns and trivialises the importance of collective bargaining in ensuring betterment for their welfare.
I dare say such actions not only undermine the dignity of my fellow educators, our teachers, but also erode public trust in the government’s serious commitment to addressing the pressing issues facing our teachers in the education system.
It is equally important and imperative that all Guyanese and especially the government in recognising the seriousness of the challenges plaguing the teaching fraternity and take decisive action to address them.
The government must acknowledge the validity of the teachers’ demands and engage in meaningful discussions with their union to find equitable solutions. Solutions which are available and requires a mere ounce of political will and heart.
Collective bargaining is not a threat to governance but a cornerstone of democracy, ensuring that the voices of our workers are heard, and their rights upheld.
Democracy that the government speaks of so eloquently on a frequent basis must be demonstrated also in actions.
Again, I say, the portrayal of our teachers’ issues in a political skit reflects a broader pattern of dismissiveness towards the plight of educators. This pattern must be confronted and rectified through a concerted and deliberate efforts to prioritise education and our teachers as a national priority.
Investment in education is an investment in the future of our nation, and neglecting the needs of teachers undermines the very foundation of our society.
The offensive portrayal of our teachers’ issues in that attempt to be funny political skit, requires a public apology. It is not only warranted but necessary to restore dignity and respect to the teaching profession. Furthermore, the government must commit to taking concrete steps to address the systemic issues affecting teachers, including but not limited to fair wages, but better working conditions and adequate resources for classrooms and non-taxable benefits.
All of Guyana must accept that advocating for the government to prioritise the concerns of our teachers is not a partisan issue but a matter of basic decency and social justice. Regardless of one’s political affiliation, we must all recognize the invaluable contributions of our teachers to our society and ensure that they are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Failure to do so not only harms teachers but also jeopardizes the future of our nation.
It is time for the government to listen to the voices of teachers, engage in sincere dialogue, and take concrete steps towards building a brighter future for all in our nation.
Yours respectfully,
Hon. Jermaine Figueira MP